Regulus Therapeutics obtains rights to intellectual property covering methods for modulating microRNA-21

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. announced today that it has obtained exclusive rights from the University of Wuerzburg to intellectual property covering methods for modulating microRNA-21. 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.

"We are very pleased to obtain exclusive worldwide rights to this intellectual property from our collaborative work with the University of Wuerzburg, as it builds on our leading estate of assets needed for the development and commercialization of microRNA therapeutics," said Garry E. Menzel, Ph.D., Executive Vice President of Corporate Development and Finance of Regulus Therapeutics. "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."

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 [Thum et al. (2008) Nature 456: 980-984].

The license has been grant by the Bayerische Patentallianz GmbH in Munich, the patent agency of Bavarian universities and research organization, including the University of Wuerzburg. Peer Biskup, CEO of the Bayerische Patentalianz, stated, "This license proves again the value of University inventions, the collaboration between industry and academia, and the importance of patent agencies in making technology transfer a success."

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.