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"We aim to be the leading high-complexity molecular diagnostics company,and we believe we have fine-tuned our product engine. This engine is nowcapable of producing a stream of products that answer unmet medical needs,"said Amir Avniel, CEO and President of Rosetta Genomics. "We believe that bythe end of 2009, we will have established a prominent position in theoncology and women's health fields."
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Leveraging unique microRNA biomarkers identified using Rosetta Genomics'proprietary microRNA extraction and quantification methods, the new programswill focus on the following indications, which are expected to be clinicallyavailable during 2009-2010:
1) Predicting response to treatment of ovarian cancer patients
- Platinum-based cytotoxic chemotherapy in conjunction with debulkingsurgery is currently the gold standard of treatment for patients with ovariancancer. However, approximately 20-50% of patients do not respond toplatinum-based chemotherapy and will require additional second linetreatment. Furthermore, research suggests that administering platinum-basedtreatment to patients who subsequently do not respond to it may actuallyhinder their response to the second line treatment as well. Rosetta Genomicshas identified unique microRNA biomarkers that may assist in identifyingovarian cancer patients expected to benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy.
2) Predicting risk of gastric cancer recurrence - Recurrence aftercurative resection for gastric cancer is high and is estimated to occur in50-80% of patients. This test will use microRNA molecular classification ofgastric cancer samples to predict the risk of recurrence for non-metastaticpatients after resection of the primary tumor.
3) Differentiating small from non-small cell lung cancer - An estimated220,000(1) patients are diagnosed with lung cancer each year in the U.S.alone. Before a patient begins lung cancer treatment, an experienced lungcancer pathologist must review the pathologic material. This is criticalbecause small cell lung cancer, which is generally not treated surgically,can be confused on microscopic examination with non-small cell carcinoma(2).Rosetta Genomics has identified unique microRNA biomarkers that may be usedto differentiate small from non-small cell lung cancers.
In addition, utilizing its proprietary extraction and quantificationmicroRNA technologies, the Company has recently identified microRNAbiomarkers in the serum of colon cancer patients which may serve as the basisfor a future blood-based test for colon cancer.
"Molecular diagnostic companies like Rosetta Genomics are well positionedto enjoy accelerated growth, unprecedented in the traditional diagnosticsmarket," noted Ronen Tamir, Executive Vice President of Marketing andCommunication of Rosetta Genomics. "Our rich product pipeline, combined withthe upcoming acquisition of a commercial CLIA-certified laboratory, willposition us to participate in such a growth trend in the moleculardiagnostics industry."
About MicroRNA
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, smallRNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basisfor a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases arecaused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectivelyregulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treata wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have
