Regulus Obtains License For Intellectual Property To microRNA-21

Reportedly, Regulus scientists and collaborators have shown that microRNA-21, (miR-21), is dysregulated in mouse models of cardiac disease and fibrosis, and that antagonizing miR-21 with therapeutic oligonucleotides targeting miR-21 inhibits fibrosis and attenuates cardiac function in such models.

Regulus is currently developing a microRNA therapeutic targeting miR-21 as an anti-fibrotic therapy.

The licensed technology relates to the discoveries that miR-21 is induced in fibroblasts in the failing heart, and that targeting miR-21 with therapeutic oligonucleotides can inhibit fibrosis and cardiac hypertrophy.

In addition to the newly licensed patent rights covering therapeutic uses of miR-21, Regulus controls fundamental patent rights related to miR-21, including compositions of matter for various anti-miR compounds targeting miR-21.

Garry Menzel, executive vice president of corporate development and finance of Regulus Therapeutics, said: “Regulus scientists and collaborators were the first to show a therapeutic benefit from targeting miR-21 in a preclinical model of heart disease, and we are currently translating this academic discovery into a novel microRNA-based therapeutic for fibrotic diseases.”