Regulus Therapeutics

Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
Company typePublic
Nasdaq: RGLS
IndustryBiotechnology
FoundedSeptember 2007; 17 years ago (2007-09) (by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS))
HeadquartersSan Diego, California, U.S.
Key people
ProductsmicroRNA therapeutics
Number of employees
30
Websiteregulusrx.com

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. 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]

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,[when?] the multinational 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. ^ a b Hutton, David (June 2011). "Omics & Systems Biology, Surf's Up for microRNAs". Drug Discovery News.
  2. ^ a b 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. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07.
  5. ^ Flanagan, Michael (June 2010). "A handful would be fine" (PDF). BioCentury.