Rosetta Genomics signed a research agreement with Columbia University

According to the terms of the agreement, Columbia University Medical Center will use a CLIA licensed laboratory that will conduct clinical validation tests for cancer diagnostic tools * Rosetta Genomics has registered a patent on microRNA in the AIDS virus

Rosetta Genomics, which deals in the field of microRNA, announced that it has signed a research agreement with Columbia University Medical Center, to advance its leading cancer diagnostic program. According to the terms of the agreement, Columbia University Medical Center will use its own CLIA-licensed laboratory to clinically validate the leading diagnostic program for cancer of unknown origin. This is Rosetta Genomics' first approval for clinical validation of one of its cancer diagnostic tests. The company is developing a number of microRNA-based diagnostic tools in its research and development facilities in Israel and the USA.

The company's diagnostic tool for cancer of unknown origin, which is currently in the final stages of development, is designed to help clinicians identify the origin of tumors that have metastasized to the various organs of the body. A cancerous tumor "metastasizes" when it spreads from its site of origin to other places in the body. It is estimated that in 40,000-70,000 new cancer patients each year, the source of the tumor is unknown at the time of admission and no definitive diagnosis is made for the source of the tumor. Without a definitive diagnosis, the clinician is unable to provide optimal treatment to these patients.

"The engagement with an experienced research team in an advanced CLIA-licensed laboratory is necessary for the rapid advancement of our diagnostic means for cancer of unknown origin," notes Dr. Dalia Cohen, Chief Research and Development Director at Rosetta Genomics. "We believe we have found the perfect combination of expertise and scientific ability at Columbia University Medical Center. Our diagnostic protocol for cancer of unknown origin has shown encouraging results in terms of the large number of cancerous tumors we may detect with it as well as the high level of accuracy of this test."
According to the terms of the agreement, Rosetta Genomics will provide Columbia University Medical Center with the protocol it developed for diagnosing the source of cancer metastases, which will be tested using unknown ("hidden") samples provided by the medical center.

"We look forward to the start of the validation tests of this Rosetta Genomics diagnostic tool for cancer of unknown origin," says Dr. Mahesh Mansukani, co-director of the Molecular Pathology Laboratory at Columbia Medical Center who will lead the process. "Our advanced CLIA-licensed laboratory has acquired extensive knowledge in verification tests, obtaining the appropriate standards and certificates, and performing several molecular diagnostic tests, such as this one. MicroRNAs have enormous potential as a powerful biomarker in several cancers, and we are excited to be involved in the validation testing of diagnostic tools based on these genes. We believe that this effort is an important step in bringing innovative diagnostic tools of this type to patients and doctors."

Rosetta has been granted the first patent of its kind in the world on microRNA related to diagnostics and therapy
Rosetta Genomics (NYSE: ROSG), a world leader in the field of microRNA, announced today (Wednesday) that the US Patent Office approved the company's patent application yesterday. This is the first patent in the world that has ever been registered in the field of microRNA material composition in humans and viruses, and the company believes that it constitutes an important precedent and a significant landmark on the way to realizing Rosetta Genomics' patent portfolio registration goals.
The patent covers the composition of substances that focus on a specific microRNA gene found in the HIV virus, which causes immunodeficiency. The company believes that the patent, along with hundreds of other applications for patents in the field of microRNA in humans and viruses filed by the company worldwide, establishes the company's intellectual property status in a new class of future drugs with a wide potential of healing possibilities.

MicroRNA control has a unique potential to increase or decrease the activity of proteins that cause various diseases. The possibility to regulate the mode of expression of a wide range of proteins is a significant advantage. MicroRNAs found in humans and microRNAs from viruses are expected to play a role in regulating key disease processes in a number of medical fields such as cancer treatment, metabolism and infectious diseases.
According to Dr. Ranit Ahronov, Senior Vice President for Intellectual Property and Computational Biology at Rosetta Genomics, the registration of the patent is an important precedent for confirming the validity of the company's portfolio of intellectual property assets for both healing and diagnostic purposes. "Rosetta Genomics is the first commercial entity to patent a microRNA gene."

Aharonov added that "Both another patent application that we believe will be approved soon and applications for our other patents that are in advanced examination procedures, give us a feeling of confidence that we will continue to receive additional patents both for human and viral microRNA gene sequences, and for microRNAs that are biological markers for detection diseases and processes in the body as well as the advanced technologies we have developed in this field. The US Patent Office's decision to approve Rosetta Genomics' patent validates the company's position as a leader in this field, a rapidly developing field."

Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta Genomics: "This is a very significant milestone, which is an important step in the process of establishing Rosetta Genomics as a leader in the field, in terms of its intellectual property assets. In addition, we believe that receiving this patent, as well as receiving additional patents in the future, will open up unique opportunities for significant collaborations. We also believe that receiving the patent will increase the value of our research and development program in the field of microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic products, as well as the overall value of the company."