Cenix BioScience GmbH, a leading specialist in advanced RNA interference (RNAi)-based research services announced that they have signed a research agreement with Regulus Therapeutics LLC to advance the latter's efforts in the discovery of novel therapeutic miRNA modulators.

Cenix will apply its well-established expertise in combining high throughput applications of small RNA-based gene silencing with high content phenotypic analyses in cultured human cells. The company will thereby screen libraries of synthetic miRNA modulators designed and produced by Regulus, using multi-parametric assays to identify novel lead molecules offering highest therapeutic potential in the area of immunology and inflammation.

"Following the long-standing relationship and mutual respect shared with several key members of the starting team at Regulus, we at Cenix are very much looking forward to working together to drive this ground-breaking discovery program forward" said Dr. Christophe Echeverri, CEO/CSO of Cenix.

"Regulus is committed to discovering and developing novel microRNA-targeted therapeutics and adding to a large and growing body of knowledge on how individual microRNAs function within the cell," said Peter S. Linsley, Ph.D. CSO of Regulus. "We look forward to working collaboratively with Cenix to identify interesting microRNA-targeted drug candidates."

Cenix BioScience GmbH is a pioneer and global leader in the convergence of high throughput (HT), genomics-driven applications of RNA interference (RNAi) with high content, multi-parametric cell-based assays. Founded in 1999 as the first biotechnology company specializing exclusively in HT-RNAi, Cenix has accumulated unparalleled depth and breadth of experience in this field, using human and rodent cell models to drive the discovery and validation of novel therapeutic drug targets and the analysis of drug mechanisms of action in a wide range of disease indications, including oncology, atherosclerosis, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative disorders and infectious diseases such as malaria.

Regulus Therapeutics LLC is a biopharmaceutical company formed to discover, develop, and commercialize microRNA (miRNA) therapeutics. Regulus aspires to translate one of the most important new discoveries in biology into a novel new approach for innovative medicine and to build the leading miRNA company.