Regulus granted key patent for treatment of hepatitis C

The Sarnow patent, a Stanford University patent to which Regulus has exclusive rights, relates to the discovery and development of therapeutic products for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection by inhibiting a liver-specific microRNA known as miR-122. Regulus is developing a microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-122 for the treatment of HCV infection as its most advanced therapeutic program.

Following a notice of allowance, the process resulting in final issuance of a patent involves several administrative steps that are typically completed within a year.

John Maraganore, chairman of Regulus, and president and CEO of Alnylam, said: “The opportunity to selectively antagonize microRNAs involved in the cause or pathway of human disease represents an exciting new frontier for pharmaceutical research. The recent formation of Regulus unites the scientific leadership and intellectual property estates of both Isis and Alnylam to build what we believe is the leading microRNA therapeutics company, and this new US patent allowance represents an early proof point of our value creation strategy.”