Rights to Micro-RNA Sequences Licensed to Exiqon

Exiqon A/S (Vedbaak, Denmark) has announced that it has secured the licensing rights to over 200 human and viral microRNA sequences for diagnostic applications through two separate co-exclusive license agreements: one with Garching Innovation GmbH (Munich, Germany), the technology transfer agency of the Max Planck Society; and the second with the Rockefeller University (New York, NY, USA). The terms of the agreements were not disclosed.

Exiqon plans to create high-affinity detection assays for small RNA targets like microRNAs using locked nucleic acids (LNAs), which display hybridization affinity towards complementary DNA and RNA. The diagnostic tools will measure the presence and abundance of individual or groups of microRNAs, providing information on key disease indicators, including a tumor's progression state or its response or sensitivity to therapy. LNAs (locked nucleic acids) are a class of nucleotide analogues that bind very strongly to RNA and DNA targets. By including LNAs in detection probes, it is possible to design very specific high-affinity detection assays for small RNA targets like miRNAs, which is not possible using a standard DNA-based detection probe.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of regulatory RNA molecules with widespread effects on gene regulation. Although recently identified as a new class of molecules, initial studies indicate that miRNAs may regulate as much as one-third of all genes in the genome. In the cell, miRNAs are found in the form of single-stranded RNA molecules, which are typically 20-25 nucleotides long in their active form. MicroRNA profiling of tumors can characterize and classify cancers very distinctly, and it appears that microRNAs can successfully be used in the diagnosis and theranostics of cancer. Theranostics is the use of diagnostic testing to select a specific or personalized treatment regimen and also to monitor the response of an individual patient to treatment.

Søren M. Echwald, vice president, business development, Exiqon, said: "Securing these licensing agreements provides us with an excellent opportunity to move our LNA technology into diagnostics. By collaborating with a number of academic partners, Exiqon will further increase its efforts to expand its diagnostic development program.”



Related Links:
Exiqon
Garching Innovation
Rockefeller University