Rosetta Genomics Strengthens MicroRNA Intellectual Property Position with Receipt of Additional Patent

• This is the third patent issued to Rosetta Genomics covering microRNAs
• The company has received notices of allowance for an additional eight patent applications related to human microRNAs

• Press Release
• Source: Rosetta Genomics, Ltd.
• On 7:30 am EST, Thursday November 5, 2009

REHOVOT, Israel & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDAQ: ROSG - News), a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,592,441 to Rosetta Genomics. The patent relates to human microRNA miR-193b, as well as to complementary probes and vectors. This is the third patent issued to Rosetta Genomics by the USPTO. Recently it was shown that downregulation of miR-193b is associated with progression and invasion of human breast cancer (Li et al., Oncogene 2009).

Related Quotes

Symbol	Price	Change
ROSG	2.13	-0.07

{"s" : "rosg","k" : "c10,l10,p20,t10","o" : "","j" : ""}

“We are very pleased to add this patent to our growing intellectual property portfolio,” said Ken Berlin, President and CEO. “This recent patent issuance strengthens and validates our strategy of establishing a broad and integrated IP portfolio upon which the company is building its microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic discovery engines.”

In addition to the three issued patents, Rosetta Genomics has received eight Notices of Allowance from the USPTO for patent applications related to human Sanger microRNAs 18b, 20b, 92b, 494, 135b, 527, 196b and 491.

Rosetta Genomics has filed more than 20 patent applications worldwide to protect each aspect of its commercial diagnostic products. Many of these applications protect the specific microRNAs used in the company’s products. In addition, the company is pursuing more than 50 patent applications to protect methods of detecting microRNAs and methods of diagnosing and treating diseases with microRNAs.

About microRNAs

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, small RNAs that act as master regulators of protein synthesis, and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers. MicroRNAs’ unique advantage as biomarkers lies in their high tissue specificity, and their exceptional stability in the most routine preservation methods for biopsies, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) block. It has been suggested that their small size (19-21 nucleotides) enables them to remain intact in FFPE blocks, as opposed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which tends to rapidly degrade in samples preserved by this method. In addition, early preclinical data has shown that by controlling the levels of specific microRNAs, cancer cell growth may be reduced. To learn more about microRNAs, please visit www.rosettagenomics.com.

About miRview™ Products

miRview™ are a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products offered by Rosetta Genomics. miRview™ mets accurately identifies the primary tumor site in metastatic cancer and Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). miRview™ squamous accurately identifies the squamous subtype of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), which carries an increased risk of severe of fatal internal bleeding and poor response to treatment for certain therapies. miRview™ meso diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure. miRview™ tests are designed to provide objective diagnostic data; it is the treating physician’s responsibility to diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the US alone, over 100,000 patients a year may benefit from the miRview™ mets test, 60,000 from miRview™ squamous, and 60,000 from miRview™ meso, with similar numbers of patients outside the US. The company’s tests are now being offered through distributors around the globe. For more information, please visit www.mirviewdx.com.

About Rosetta Genomics

Rosetta Genomics (Nasdaq: ROSG - News) is a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics. Founded in 2000, the company’s integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong IP position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working on the application of these technologies in the development of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. The company’s first three microRNA-based tests, miRview™ squamous, miRview™ mets, and miRview™ meso, are commercially available through its Philadelphia-based CLIA-certified lab. Rosetta Genomics is the 2008 winner of Wall Street Journal’s Technology Innovation Awards in the medical/biotech category. To learn more, please visit www.rosettagenomics.com.

Forward-Looking Statement Disclaimer

Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta’s future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements relating to the role and strength of Rosetta’s IP portfolio, the role of microRNAs in human physiology and disease, the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks related to: Rosetta’s approach to discover microRNA technology and to work on the application of this technology in the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic tools, which may never lead to commercially accepted products or services; Rosetta’s ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Rosetta’s ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties; Rosetta’s need and ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities; Rosetta’s dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and distribution of products; Rosetta’s ability to successfully develop its candidate tools, products and services; Rosetta’s ability to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals that may be required for its products and services; the ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for the products and services comprising Rosetta’s technology; competition from others using technology similar to Rosetta’s and others developing products for similar uses; Rosetta’s dependence on collaborators; and Rosetta’s short operating history; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta’s Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2008 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta’s views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

Rosetta Genomics Company Contact:
Ron Kamienchick, 215-382-9000 ext 318
investors@rosettagenomics.com
or
Investor Contacts:
Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates
Kim Sutton Golodetz, 212-838-3777
kgolodetz@lhai.com
or
Bruce Voss, 310-691-7100
bvoss@lhai.com