Rosetta Genomics is a biotechnology company that is a world leader in the development and commercialization of microRNA-based diagnostics and therapeutics.

MicroRNAs are now broadly recognized as an important new dimension of biology, with broad medical implications. Long thought to be an insignificant element of 'junk DNA', hundreds of research articles over the past several years, have shed much light on the biogenesis of microRNA genes, their function, and their involvement in a broad spectrum of disease processes. The tremendous progress made in understanding microRNAs also points to their tremendous potential in the diagnosis and early detection of various diseases including different types of cancer, as well as their promising role in future therapeutics.

Founded in 2000 with a clear focus on the discovery of microRNA genes, and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic products based on these genes, Rosetta Genomics has developed an integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes that has led to the discovery of nearly 360 biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and collaborations with leading biotech companies and academic institutions, Rosetta Genomics is working to develop microRNA-based diagnostic products, and later therapeutics products, for several major cancers.

For more information, please visit Rosetta Genomics at: www.rosettagenomics.com.
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At Alnylam, we believe that the groundbreaking research taking place today on microRNAs (miRNAs) will lead to profound new insights regarding the roles of these molecules in health and disease. Our leadership in the discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics with small interfering RNA based drugs is being extended to microRNAs.

Alnylam is proud to have made important discoveries that enable the potential to target miRNAs involved in disease processes. Recently, research published in Nature and carried out by scientists from Alnylam and Rockefeller University, demonstrated that miRNAs can be silenced using a novel class of chemically modified oligonucleotides called 'antagomirs'. Such results provide encouraging early signs that microRNAs have great potential as drug targets.

Our drug development efforts to target microRNAs are a logical extension of Alnylam's research programs focused on the discovery and development of RNAi therapeutics utilizing synthetic siRNAs. Alnylam's drug development programs are advancing rapidly. In fact, just recently we successfully completed Phase I studies for our lead RNAi therapeutic, ALN-RSV01, for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection. We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with researchers across the world in advancing the discovery of new therapeutic strategies targeting miRNAs.

We at Alnylam are convinced that the breakthroughs in understanding the biological roles of microRNAs, combined with the therapeutic application of RNAi, will play an important role in the future of drug development and truly make a difference in patients' lives – and that is why we are proud to sponsor this Nature special supplement.

For more information, please visit: www.alnylam.com.
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John M. Maraganore, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Santaris Pharma is creating transformational medicines for the 21st century. Since the sequencing of the human genome, the importance of gene expression in human disease has become ever more widely recognised. To combat disease with medicines that address not just the symptoms but underlying causes, doctors and patients need drugs capable of precisely blocking pathological genetic pathways.

Santaris Pharma's strength lies in its world-leading LNA Therapeutics Technology. Through its use, the Company is creating an exciting new class of drugs – RNA Antagonists – with the potential to inactivate harmful RNA expression in disease. In 2005, the first of our RNA Antagonists commenced clinical studies in adult leukemia.

Now the rapidly emerging field of microRNA therapeutics offers further potential to revolutionise treatment outcomes. We are committed to the scientific challenge of creating effective miR antagonist drugs and are pleased to support the Nature Genetics MicroRNA Supplement.

For more company information, please visit www.santaris.com
For scientific background on Santaris Pharma's microRNA research, download PDF