Rosetta Genomics claims first for microRNA patent:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Hailing the advancement of microRNAs towards the clinical diagnostics field, the first ever commercial microRNA "composition of matter" patent has been issued to Rosetta Genomics. The US patent covers a specific microRNA gene found in HIV. However, the firm, which has many other patents in active examination for further microRNA gene sequences, hopes that this development will bolster its chances of gaining further patents covering its microRNA biomarkers and enabling technologies. MicroRNAs are naturally occurring, short strands of RNA, which can regulate the production of proteins in the cell. MicroRNA expression levels have been found to correlate with various disease states and could hold significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic markers, and in therapeutics. Rosetta Genomics has offices in Rehovot Israel and North Brunswick, New Jersey. Other firms developing microRNA-based diagnostics include Exiqon, Luminex and Agilent.