Identification of third microRNA target triggers milestone payment from GSK to Regulus

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, today announced that it has identified a third microRNA target in its alliance with GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), triggering a preclinical milestone payment from GSK. This selection represents another significant milestone for Regulus in its microRNA alliance with GSK, which is focused on the discovery and development of compounds targeting four different microRNAs in inflammation and HCV infection.

"GSK has been a committed and valuable partner, providing Regulus with their vast expertise in preclinical models and an understanding of clinical pathways and commercial opportunities," said Neil W. Gibson, Ph.D.,chief scientific officer of Regulus. "The alliance has benefitted from Regulus' proprietary technology platform and leading knowledge base of microRNA biology."

Under the 2008 alliance with GSK, Regulus has the potential to earn more than $600 million in payments across all programs including license and milestone payments, and tiered royalties up to double digits on worldwide sales of products resulting from the alliance. Regulus is responsible for identifying compounds that target four microRNAs through to completion of proof of concept trials. GSK has an exclusive option to license the worldwide development and commercialization rights under each target microRNA.