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Warnex and Rosetta Genomics Announce Exclusive Distribution Agreement for Rosetta's microRNA-Based Assays in Canada
Warnex will distribute Rosetta Genomics' three recently launched miRview(TM) tests in Canada
* Press Release
* Source: Warnex Inc.
* On Monday August 10, 2009, 7:30 am EDT
LAVAL, QUEBEC AND REHOVOT, ISRAEL AND PHILADELPHIA, USA--(Marketwire - Aug. 10, 2009) - Warnex Medical Laboratories, a division of Warnex Inc. (TSX:WNX - News), and Rosetta Genomics, Ltd. (NASDQ:ROSG), the leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics, announced today they have signed an exclusive distribution agreement in Canada for three currently-available diagnostic tests. Under the terms of the agreement, Warnex will market Rosetta Genomics' miRview(TM) tests. Samples will be sent from Canada to Rosetta Genomics' Philadelphia-based CLIA-certified laboratory for analysis. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to add these new tests to our growing portfolio of pharmacogenetic tests," said Mark Busgang, President & CEO of Warnex. "These tests offered by Rosetta Genomics will allow oncologists to accurately trace the origin of the tumour in the body and to better characterize the tissue type, which can lead to a more efficient chemotherapy treatment."
"We are excited to have a well established molecular diagnostic laboratory such as Warnex as our distribution partner in Canada, noted Ronen Tamir, Chief Commercialization Officer at Rosetta Genomics. "Canada is an important market, and this agreement is a significant step as we expand the market for our products in North America. This agreement joins our existing contracts with Prometheus Laboratories in the U.S., and with Teva Pharmaceuticals in Israel and Turkey. We continue in our efforts to expand our global distribution network to other parts of the world, and expect to have additional agreements in place in the near future."
The miRview(TM) tests leverage proprietary microRNA technology developed by Rosetta Genomics, and measure the expression level of specific microRNA biomarkers in tumor samples. The following tests will be distributed by Warnex:
- miRview(TM) mets - This test can accurately identify the primary tumor site in patients presenting with metastatic cancer, as well in patients whose tumor has not been identified, and consequently been labeled Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP). As metastases need to be treated according to their primary origin, accurate identification of the metastases' primary origin can be critical for determining appropriate treatment. Current diagnostic methods to identify the origin of a metastasis include a wide range of costly, time consuming, and at times inefficient tests. miRview(TM) mets offers physicians a fast, accurate, and easy to interpret diagnosis of the predicted primary origin.
- miRview(TM) squamous - Using a single microRNA, miRview(TM) squamous differentiates squamous from non-squamous, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. When administered targeted therapy, whether currently available or under development, patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung have demonstrated varying response patterns ranging from a high incidence of severe or fatal internal bleeding in the lungs to overall poor response to treatment. Current methods for differentiating squamous from non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer are not standardized, are difficult to reproduce, and have low accuracy. miRview squamous produces a single score which indicates whether a sample is squamous or non squamous NSCLC.
- miRview(TM) meso - This test leverages microRNA's high specificity as biomarkers, to differentiate mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure, from other carcinomas in the lung. As mesothelioma patients require specific treatment regimens, accurately diagnosing mesothelioma is critical. Currently, there is no single diagnostic test that is entirely conclusive for this differentiation. In addition, pathological diagnosis may suffer from significant inter-observer variability, and in the absence of a single specific and reliable marker, mesothelioma can be difficult to identify from other cancers. miRview(TM) meso is highly accurate test which may also assist physicians to rule out mesothelioma in patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma in the lung who have been exposed to mesothelioma-related substances, primarily asbestos particles and heavy metals.
About microRNAs
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, naturally occurring, small RNAs that act as master regulators and have the potential to form the basis for a new class of diagnostics and therapeutics. Since many diseases are caused by the abnormal activity of proteins, the ability to selectively regulate protein activity through microRNAs could provide the means to treat a wide range of human diseases. In addition, microRNAs have been shown to have different expression in various pathological conditions. As a result, these differences may provide for a novel diagnostic strategy for many diseases.
