The collaboration will bring together the complementary know-how of both companies in miRNA and leverage Rosetta’s database of novel miRNA genes and Isis’ expertise in oligonucleotide chemistry and antisense drug discovery and development.
MicroRNAs are naturally expressed small RNAs that play a critical role in many essential cellular functions in the body, including protein production, cell differentiation and cell death. Abnormalities in miRNA function may play a role in human disease.
“We believe miRNAs are most easily accessible using antisense technologies and look forward to working with Rosetta Genomics to discover antisense drugs targeted to miRNAs for the treatment of liver cancer,” said Dr C Frank Bennett, senior vice president of antisense research at Isis.