Regulus Therapeutics Inc. announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has allowed claims in a patent application (US Serial No. 12/550,579) derived from the "Tuschl III" patent series. The allowed claims relate to human microRNA miR-155, a microRNA that is a potential target for immuno-inflammatory indications, and a lead program of the Regulus-GSK Strategic Alliance. The strategic alliance with GSK was formed in 2008 to focus on developing microRNA therapeutics for the treatment of immuno-inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
"Regulus is continuing to execute its strategy of maintaining leadership in microRNA therapeutics by advancing multiple programs towards the clinic, expanding our dominant IP position, and forming significant alliances with a limited number of pharmaceutical partners," said Garry E. Menzel, Ph.D., Executive Vice President Corporate Development and Finance of Regulus. "The Tuschl III patent estate has already yielded several patents directed to key therapeutic microRNA targets. These include miR-122, partnered with GSK for Hepatitis C Viral infection, and miR-21, the lead fibrosis target in our recent alliance with sanofi-aventis."