Regulus Therapeutics

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. or Regulus (NASDAQ: RGLS) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class drugs that target microRNAs to treat a broad range of diseases. Regulus was established in September 2007 by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals.[1]

Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
Public
Traded asNASDAQ: RGLS
IndustryBiotechnology
FoundedSeptember 2007 (by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS))
HeadquartersSan Diego, California, USA
Key people
Jay Hagan, President and CEO; Dr Timothy Wright, Chief R&D Officer; Dan Chevallard, CFO; Dr Mark Deeg, CMO
ProductsmicroRNA therapeutics
Number of employees
65
Websitewww.regulusrx.com

microRNA explained

MicroRNAs are small naturally occurring RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead have evolved to regulate gene expression.[2][3]

anti-miR therapeutics

Anti-miR therapeutics inhibit specific microRNA targets. Animal models showed that modulating microRNAs through anti-miRs effectively regulates biological processes and provides therapeutic benefit to cardiac dysfunction, cancer and hepatitis C virus infection. Administration of anti-miR oligonucleotides is possible through local or parenteral injection.[4] The company's lead drug candidate, RG-012, is intended as a treatment for alport syndrome in phase 2 clinical trials.

Strategic alliances

In April 2008, Regulus and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) entered into a microRNA-focused strategic alliance for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In February 2010, Regulus and GSK announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 (miR-122) for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Most recently, the multi-national pharmaceutical giant [[Sanofi] –Aventis awarded Regulus with the largest microRNA partnership to date – targeting fibrosis.[2]

Research collaborations

Regulus has active collaborations with leading academic researchers from over 30 academic research laboratories globally.[1]

Patents

Regulus has more than 900 patents and patent applications, 600 of which cover the method of use, chemical modification and administration of oligonucleotides to address specific targets.[5]

References
  1. Hutton, David (June 2011). "Omics & Systems Biology, Surf's Up for microRNAs". Drug Discovery News.
  2. Senese, Mike (October 2010). "The miracle of microRNA". San Diego Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-12-09.
  3. Liszewski, Kathy (May 15, 2011). "miRNA Drugs Close In on Clinical Debut". Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.
  4. Steffy, Kevin; Allerson, Charles; Bhat, Balkrishen (May 2011). "Perspectives in MictoRNA Therapeutics,". Pharmaceutical Technology.
  5. Flanagan, Michael (June 2010). "A handful would be fine" (PDF). BioCentury.
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