Mirna Therapeutics To Collaborate With M. D. Anderson On MiRNA Prostate Cancer Therapeutics

Main Category: Prostate / Prostate Cancer
Also Included In: Cancer / Oncology;  Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 28 Jan 2009 - 7:00 PDT

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Mirna Therapeutics ("Mirna"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Asuragen, Inc., and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center Science Park Research Center in Smithville have entered into a collaboration to investigate microRNAs in human prostate cancer. The principal investigators for the study are Dean Tang, M.D., Ph.D, Associate Professor, Division of Carcinogenesis and Adjunct Associate Professor, College of Pharmacy, The University of Texas and David Brown, Ph.D, Director of Discovery, from Mirna.

Dr. Tang has been a pioneer in identifying and characterizing prostate cancer stem cells and evaluating their role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of human prostate cancer. Dr. Tang is actively pursuing therapeutic strategies for inducing senescence and apoptosis in prostate cancer stem cells. Dr. Brown brings several years' experience developing technologies for the isolation, detection, and functional characterization of small RNA including microRNAs (miRNAs). He has been applying these technologies at Mirna and Asuragen to identify miRNAs as diagnostic and therapeutic targets in human diseases, particularly cancer.

"We are excited about the therapeutic collaboration with M. D. Anderson," said Matt Winkler, Ph.D., CEO/CSO of Mirna, "Combining M. D. Anderson's extensive knowledge of prostate cancer biology with Asuragen's expertise using miRNA with therapeutic potential could lead to improved treatment options for prostate cancer."

About Mirna Therapeutics

Mirna Therapeutics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Asuragen, Inc., is focused on the development and commercialization of microRNA (miRNA) therapeutics. It has a substantial body of pending intellectual property around miRNAs developed by its own scientists as well as in-licensed from other institutions. Mirna scientists (while at Asuragen), along with their Yale collaborators have shown that a particular miRNA, let-7, plays a fundamental role in lung cancer and that introduction of let-7 using a viral vector results in a reduction of tumor load in an animal model (Esquela-Kerscher et al. Cell Cycle, March 15, 2008). Mirna Therapeutics, founded in 2007, is located in Austin, Texas. For more information, visit http://www.mirnatherapeutics.com.

About Asuragen, Inc.

Asuragen is a fully integrated diagnostic company and molecular biology service provider, focused on molecular oncology and genetic diseases, with emphasis on microRNA (miRNA). Asuragen's current diagnostic product portfolio consists of Signature® Genetic Testing and Oncology Testing products as well as industry leading controls and standards engineered using its patented Armored RNA® technology. Asuragen is empowered with a high level of scientific expertise and assay development along with a well developed business infrastructure, GLP testing services and an established cGMP manufacturing facility that allows it to span the spectrum of discovery, testing, production and commercialization. Asuragen is dedicated to developing new technologies that will become cutting edge clinical products. More information is available at the Company's website: http://www.asuragen.com.

Asuragen, Inc.