Regulus Therapeutics Inc.
TypePublic
Nasdaq: RGLS
IndustryBiotechnology
FoundedSeptember 2007 (by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ALNY) and Isis Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ISIS))
HeadquartersSan Diego, California, USA
Key people
Jay Hagan, President and CEO; Cris Calsada, CFO;
ProductsmicroRNA therapeutics
Number of employees
30
Websitewww.regulusrx.com

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. or Regulus (Nasdaq: RGLS) is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of first-in-class drugs that target microRNAs to treat a broad range of diseases. Regulus was established in September 2007 by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals.[1]

microRNA explained

MicroRNAs are small naturally occurring RNA molecules, typically 20 to 25 nucleotides in length, that do not encode proteins but instead have evolved to regulate gene expression.[2][3]

anti-miR therapeutics

Anti-miR therapeutics inhibit specific microRNA targets. Animal models showed that modulating microRNAs through anti-miRs effectively regulates biological processes and provides therapeutic benefit to cardiac dysfunction, cancer and hepatitis C virus infection. Administration of anti-miR oligonucleotides is possible through local or parenteral injection.[4] The company's lead drug candidate, RG-012, is intended as a treatment for alport syndrome in phase 2 clinical trials.

Strategic alliances

In April 2008, Regulus and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) entered into a microRNA-focused strategic alliance for the discovery, development and commercialization of novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics to treat inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In February 2010, Regulus and GSK announced a new collaboration to develop and commercialize microRNA therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 (miR-122) for the treatment of hepatitis C (HCV) infection. Most recently, the multinational pharmaceutical giant Sanofi –Aventis awarded Regulus with the largest microRNA partnership to date – targeting fibrosis.[2]

Research collaborations

Regulus has active collaborations with leading academic researchers from over 30 academic research laboratories globally.[1]

Patents

Regulus has more than 900 patents and patent applications, 600 of which cover the method of use, chemical modification and administration of oligonucleotides to address specific targets.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 Hutton, David (June 2011). "Omics & Systems Biology, Surf's Up for microRNAs". Drug Discovery News.
  2. 1 2 Senese, Mike (October 2010). "The miracle of microRNA". San Diego Magazine. Archived from the original on 2011-12-09.
  3. ↑ Liszewski, Kathy (May 15, 2011). "miRNA Drugs Close In on Clinical Debut". Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News.
  4. ↑ Steffy, Kevin; Allerson, Charles; Bhat, Balkrishen (May 2011). "Perspectives in MictoRNA Therapeutics,". Pharmaceutical Technology. Archived from the original on 2011-10-07.
  5. ↑ Flanagan, Michael (June 2010). "A handful would be fine" (PDF). BioCentury.
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