Rosetta Genomics Announces Expansion of its MicroRNA Intellectual Property Estate

Rosetta Genomics has announced that it has signed a non-exclusive licensing agreement with Rockefeller University for research application of proprietary microRNA genes. The agreement encompasses viral and human microRNAs that will be added to Rosetta Genomics' existing intellectual property (IP) estate, which includes two issued patents, two allowed patent applications, and 60 pending patent applications.

"As leaders in the microRNA field, we view our strong intellectual property position as a key component of our business strategy, allowing us the freedom to advance the company and its pipeline." said Amir Avniel, President and CEO of Rosetta. "Our strategy continues to focus on supplementing our in-house IP portfolio with licensing agreements with key academic centers such as Rockefeller University."

Rosetta Genomics has previously licensed Rockefeller University's proprietary microRNAs for therapeutic and diagnostic uses, and this recent agreement allows the company access to a full range of potential microRNA applications based on these microRNAs.

In addition to its non-exclusive license of Rockefeller University's microRNAs, Rosetta Genomics estimates it has exclusive access to the majority of known microRNA genes through proprietary microRNAs discovered at Rosetta Genomics and microRNAs co-discovered by The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and exclusively licensed to the Company.

In addition, the Company has non-exclusively licensed for research and diagnostic applications microRNAs discovered by the Max Planck Society. From this strong IP position, Rosetta Genomics is developing a wide range of microRNA-based diagnostic tests for cancer and other indications.