Genomics and Molecular Biology

Micro RNA

MicroRNAs constitute a recently discovered class of non-coding RNAs that play key roles in the regulation of gene expression. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a specialized agency of the WHO, about 12.7 million new cancer cases were reported in 2008 and the number reached 14.1 million in 2012. MicroRNAs are used as a biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Some of the major companies operating in the global microRNA market are Affymetrix Inc., Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc., Santaris Pharma A/S, Exiqon A/S, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP, Biogen Idec Inc., Eli Lilly and Co., Pfizer Inc., CBC Comprehensive Biomarker Center GmbH, F. Hoffman-La Roche, GlaxoSmithKline, Merck & Co. Inc., Novartis AG and Sigma-Aldrich. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) has established collaboration with Regulus Therapeutics to develop and commercialize therapeutics targeting microRNA-122 for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.