miRagen Therapeutics establishes SAB

miRagen TherapeuticsJan 12 2010

miRagen Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on improving patients’ lives by developing innovative microRNA (miRNA)-based therapeutics for cardiovascular and muscle disease, announced today the formation of the company’s world renowned Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB was established to provide miRagen with valuable guidance in developing an extensive pipeline of microRNA-based drugs and is comprised of leaders who are internationally recognized experts in their respective fields. The SAB is lead by miRagen’s Chief Scientific Advisor and Co-Founder, Eric N. Olson, Ph.D. The first appointed members include Nobel Prize in Chemistry winner Thomas R. Cech, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Director of the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology.

“To collaborate with this team of thought leaders is an honor”

“We are delighted to have assembled such a distinguished team to help advise the company on its research and development pipeline,” said William S. Marshall, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of miRagen Therapeutics, Inc. “To have an SAB of this caliber intimately involved in miRagen’s drug discovery programs will be vital not only to the company’s success but also, and more importantly, to the millions of patients suffering from cardiovascular and muscle disease.”

“The science underlying miRagen’s therapies is highly innovative and represents a significant advancement in RNA research,” said Dr. Cech. “I look forward to working closely with my esteemed colleagues and miRagen’s team to translate breakthrough discoveries into therapies for patients who suffer from these debilitating diseases.”

“To collaborate with this team of thought leaders is an honor,” added Dr. Olson. “Each member brings unparalleled knowledge and experience to the table. Together, I believe we have an opportunity to create some truly unique RNA-based therapeutics. The SAB will be instrumental to the success of miRagen’s research and development pipeline.”

The members of miRagen’s Scientific Advisory Board are:

• Eric N. Olson, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Advisor and Co-Founder of miRagen Therapeutics; Professor and Chairman of Molecular Biology, Robert A. Welch Distinguished Chair in Science, Annie and Willie Nelson Professor in Stem Cell Research and Pogue Distinguished Chair in Research on Cardiac Birth Defects at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

• Victor R. Ambros, Ph.D., Silverman Professor of Natural Sciences, Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School

• Michael R. Bristow, M.D., Ph.D., Co-Founder of miRagen Therapeutics; Professor of Medicine and Co‐Director of the University of Colorado Cardiovascular Institute at UC Denver School of Medicine

• Thomas R. Cech, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor at the University of Colorado-Boulder, Director of the Colorado Initiative in Molecular Biotechnology and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute

• Stephanie Dimmeler, Ph.D., Professor of Experimental Medicine and Director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Regeneration, Center for Molecular Medicine at the University of Frankfurt (Germany)

• Douglas L. Mann, M.D., Lewin Professor and Chief of the Cardiovascular Division at Washington University School of Medicine; Cardiologist-in-Chief at Barnes-Jewish Hospital

• Jeffery D. Molkentin, Ph.D., Professor at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center of the University of Cincinnati and Investigator of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute