Rosetta Genomics Ltd. was a molecular
diagnostics
Diagnosis is the identification of the nature and cause of a certain phenomenon. Diagnosis is used in many different disciplines, with variations in the use of logic, analytics, and experience, to determine "cause and effect". In systems engineer ...
company with offices in Israel and the United States that uses micro-ribonucleic acid (
microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRN ...
)
biomarker
In biomedical contexts, a biomarker, or biological marker, is a measurable indicator of some biological state or condition. Biomarkers are often measured and evaluated using blood, urine, or soft tissues to examine normal biological processes, ...
s to develop diagnostic tests designed to differentiate between various types of
cancer
Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors, which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include a lump, abnormal b ...
. The company expects the first three tests based on its technology to be submitted for regulatory approval in 2008.
["Columbia University Medical Center and Rosetta Genomics Announce Columbia University's Submission of the First Cancer Diagnostic Test Based on Rosetta Genomics Proprietary MicroRNA Technology for Approval to the New York State
Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program," Forbes.com, April 3, 2008] The diagnostic tests will differentiate between
squamous
Epithelium or epithelial tissue is one of the four basic types of animal tissue, along with connective tissue, muscle tissue and nervous tissue. It is a thin, continuous, protective layer of compactly packed cells with a little intercellula ...
and non-squamous
non-small cell lung cancer
Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is any type of epithelial lung cancer other than small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC). NSCLC accounts for about 85% of all lung cancers. As a class, NSCLCs are relatively insensitive to chemotherapy, compared to sm ...
(NSCLC); differentiate between
adenocarcinoma
Adenocarcinoma (; plural adenocarcinomas or adenocarcinomata ) (AC) is a type of cancerous tumor that can occur in several parts of the body. It is defined as neoplasia of epithelial tissue that has glandular origin, glandular characteristics, or ...
and
peritoneal mesothelioma;
["Rosetta Genomics Ltd. Completes Prevalidation Phase for First Diagnostic Production."
''Reuters'', October 30, 2007.] and seek to identify the origin of
tumors
A neoplasm () is a type of abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. The process that occurs to form or produce a neoplasm is called neoplasia. The growth of a neoplasm is uncoordinated with that of the normal surrounding tissue, and persists ...
in patients representing
cancer of unknown primary (CUP).
[Boggs, Jennifer. "Rosetta Genomics' IPO Raising $26.3M For MicroRNA Work."''BioWorld Today'', February 28, 2007.] Using a single microRNA, the highly sensitive, highly specific test for squamous and non-squamous lung cancer has passed the prevalidation phase
[ and has been submitted for approval to the New York State Department of Health Clinical Laboratory Evaluation Program in April 2008.][
In April 2008, '']Nature Biotechnology
''Nature Biotechnology'' is a monthly peer-reviewed scientific journal published by Nature Portfolio. The chief editor heads an in-house team of editors. The focus of the journal is biotechnology including research results and the commercial busi ...
'' published a study by Rosetta Genomics’ scientists whose findings demonstrate microRNAs' significant potential to act as effective biomarkers that may be applied in a diagnostic test designed to identify the primary tumor site in patients CUP. In addition to its diagnostic programs, Rosetta Genomics is collaborating with Isis Pharmaceuticals to develop a microRNA-based therapy for Hepatocellular carcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of primary liver cancer in adults and is currently the most common cause of death in people with cirrhosis. HCC is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide.
It occurs in t ...
(HCC), a form of liver cancer
Liver cancer (also known as hepatic cancer, primary hepatic cancer, or primary hepatic malignancy) is cancer that starts in the liver. Liver cancer can be primary (starts in liver) or secondary (meaning cancer which has spread from elsewhere to th ...
.
Intellectual property
Rosetta Genomics has developed a microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRN ...
discovery process.
Platform technologies
Rosetta Genomics has developed several proprietary technologies that enable the Company to work with microRNAs. At the basis of these technologies are proprietary microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRN ...
extraction protocols that include sensitive extraction of microRNAs from most body fluids, including serum, urine, saliva, with virtually no microRNA lost in the extraction process. The company has also developed a microRNA extraction protocol from Formalin Fixed Paraffin
Embedded, or FFPE, samples. This allows extraction of microRNAs from samples preserved at room temperature.
Once microRNAs are extracted, Rosetta Genomics’ technology is capable of detecting and quantifying the microRNAs using two custom designed platform technologies which utilize Quantitative Real Time PCR (or qRT-PCR) and microarrays.
The Company’s proprietary microarray platform covers approximately 850 human microRNAs, including approximately 180 microRNAs which are Rosetta Genomics’ proprietary microRNAs. The array’s high specificity allows discriminating homologous family members.
Licenses and collaborations
In January 2008, Rosetta Genomics announced a collaboration agreement with the Henry Ford Health System
Henry Ford Health (formerly the Henry Ford Health System) is an integrated, not-for-profit health care organization in Metro Detroit. The corporate office is at One Ford Place, in Midtown Detroit, Michigan. Henry Ford
Henry Ford (July 30, ...
in Detroit, Michigan to develop microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRN ...
-based diagnostics and prognostics for brain cancer
A brain tumor occurs when abnormal cells form within the brain. There are two main types of tumors: malignant tumors and benign (non-cancerous) tumors. These can be further classified as primary tumors, which start within the brain, and secondar ...
. Also in January 2008, Rosetta Genomics announced that its subsidiary, Rosetta Genomics Inc. has received a license to use Roche Molecular Systems' PCR technology in microRNA-based diagnostic tests. In September 2007, Rosetta Genomics said it will work with New York University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university in New York City. Chartered in 1831 by the New York State Legislature, NYU was founded by a group of New Yorkers led by then-Secretary of the Treasury Albert Gallatin.
In 1832, the ...
Medical
Center to develop a microRNA-based diagnostic test for melanoma
Melanoma, also redundantly known as malignant melanoma, is a type of skin cancer that develops from the pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanomas typically occur in the skin, but may rarely occur in the mouth, intestines, or eye ( ...
.
In May 2007, Rosetta Genomics announced Columbia University Medical Center
NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center (NYP/CUIMC), also known as the Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC), is an academic medical center and the largest campus of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. It includes C ...
would utilize its Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) of 1988 are United States federal regulatory standards that apply to all clinical laboratory testing performed on humans in the United States, except clinical trials and basic research.
CLIA P ...
(CLIA)-certified laboratory to perform the clinical validation of Rosetta Genomics’ diagnostics program for cancer of unknown primary.
In February 2006, Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. and Rosetta Genomics said they will collaborate to develop antisense drugs
Antisense therapy is a form of treatment that uses antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to target messenger RNA (mRNA). ASOs are capable of altering mRNA expression through a variety of mechanisms, including ribonuclease H mediated decay of the pre- ...
that inhibit microRNA in the liver to treat cancers there. Antisense drugs are a class of compounds that interfere with genetic material that gets translated into harmful proteins.
History
Rosetta Genomics was founded by Isaac Bentwich in 2000 to pursue commercial applications of microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. miRN ...
research. The company had its IPO
An initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch is a public offering in which shares of a company are sold to institutional investors and usually also to retail (individual) investors. An IPO is typically underwritten by one or more investment ...
on March 6, 2007 and is traded on the NASDAQ
The Nasdaq Stock Market () (National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations Stock Market) is an American stock exchange based in New York City. It is the most active stock trading venue in the US by volume, and ranked second ...
. Rosetta Genomics expects the funds raised to advance its microRNA-based diagnostic and therapeutic cancer products through initial clinical validation, defined as success in identifying the specific biomarker panels via blinded tests of samples supplied
by medical institutions.[
In 2016, the company was ranked #27 on the Deloitte Fast 500 North America list.
In 2017, the company was sold for $10 million to private US company Genoptix.
On 31 May 2018, it was announced that Rosetta Genomics filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.Rosetta Genomics Files for Chapter 7 Bankruptcy]
References
External links
Company website
{{Authority control
Biotechnology companies of the United States
Biotechnology companies established in 2000
Biotechnology companies disestablished in 2018
Biotechnology companies of Israel
Companies formerly listed on the Nasdaq
Genomics companies
Companies that have filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy