Rosetta Genomics Announces Issuance of Additional U.S. Patent

PHILADELPHIA and REHOVOT, Israel, May 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosetta Genomics (NASDAQ: ROSG) today announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,943,745, which is related to human hsa-miR-497 and its variants and covers the composition of matter.

Human hsa-miR-497 is an important component of the Company's miRview™ mets and mets2 diagnostic tests for the accurate identification of the tissue of origin in Cancers of Unknown Primary (CUP) and difficult to diagnose metastatic cancer cases. Rosetta Genomics recently announced the launch of an oncology sales team for these advanced microRNA-based diagnostic tests in the United States.

"We remain focused on building an exceptionally strong intellectual property portfolio that allows us to support and protect our products and processes. This is particularly important as we recently launched our first company-led commercialization efforts in the U.S., and this patent provides a further barrier to entry for would-be competitors," commented Kenneth A. Berlin, President and Chief Executive Officer. "As pioneers in the microRNA field, we believe that Rosetta has the broadest and deepest intellectual property portfolio for microRNA-based diagnostics."

Worldwide, Rosetta Genomics has been issued 21 patents and has filed more than 105 patent applications, 5 of which have been allowed, to protect its commercial diagnostic products. Many of these applications protect the specific microRNAs used in the company's products and cover composition of matter, diagnostic applications, therapeutic applications and discovery process applications for microRNAs in humans.

About miRview™ Products

miRview™ are a series of microRNA-based diagnostic products offered by Rosetta Genomics. miRview™ mets and miRview™ mets2 accurately identify the primary tumor site in metastatic cancer and CUP. miRview™ squamous accurately identifies the squamous subtype of non-small cell lung cancer, which carries an increased risk of severe or fatal internal bleeding and poor response to treatment for certain therapies. miRview™ meso diagnoses mesothelioma, a cancer connected to asbestos exposure. miRview™ tests are designed to provide objective diagnostic data; it is the treating physician's responsibility to diagnose and administer the appropriate treatment. In the U.S. alone, Rosetta Genomics estimates that approximately 200,000 patients a year may benefit from the miRview™ mets and miRview™ mets2 test, 60,000 from miRview™ squamous and 60,000 from miRview™ meso. The Company's tests are offered directly by Rosetta Genomics in the U.S., and through distributors around the globe. For more information, please visit www.mirviewdx.com. Parties interested in ordering the test can contact Rosetta Genomics at (215) 382-9000 ext. 309.

About microRNAs

microRNAs (miRNAs) are recently discovered, small RNAs that act as master regulators of protein synthesis, and have been shown to be highly effective biomarkers. The unique advantage of microRNAs as biomarkers lies in their high tissue specificity, and their exceptional stability in the most routine preservation methods for biopsies, including Formalin Fixed Paraffin Embedded (FFPE) block tissue and fine needle aspirate (FNA) cell blocks. It has been suggested that their small size (19 to 21 nucleotides) enables them to remain intact in FFPE blocks, as opposed to messenger RNA (mRNA), which tends to degrade rapidly. In addition, early preclinical data has shown that by controlling the levels of specific microRNAs, cancer cell growth may be reduced. To learn more about microRNAs, please visit www.rosettagenomics.com .

About Rosetta Genomics

Rosetta Genomics is a leading developer of microRNA-based molecular diagnostics. Founded in 2000, the company's integrative research platform combining bioinformatics and state-of-the-art laboratory processes has led to the discovery of hundreds of biologically validated novel human microRNAs. Building on its strong patent position and proprietary platform technologies, Rosetta Genomics is working on the application of these technologies in the development of a full range of microRNA-based diagnostic tools. The company's first three microRNA-based tests, miRview™ squamous, miRview™ mets and miRview™ meso, are commercially available through its Philadelphia-based CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified lab. To learn more, please visit www.rosettagenomics.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Various statements in this release concerning Rosetta's future expectations, plans and prospects, including without limitation, statements relating to Rosetta's intellectual property portfolio, and its potential to provide protection to Rosetta's research development and commercialization efforts the role of microRNAs in human physiology and disease, and the potential of microRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of disease, constitute forward-looking statements for the purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including risks related to: Rosetta's approach to discover microRNA technology and to work on the application of this technology in the development of novel diagnostics and therapeutic tools, which may never lead to commercially accepted products or services; Rosetta's ability to obtain, maintain and protect its intellectual property; Rosetta's ability to enforce its patents against infringers and to defend its patent portfolio against challenges from third parties; Rosetta's need and ability to obtain additional funding to support its business activities; Rosetta's dependence on third parties for development, manufacture, marketing, sales, and distribution of products; Rosetta's ability to successfully develop its products and services; Rosetta's ability to obtain regulatory clearances or approvals that may be required for its products and services; the ability to obtain coverage and adequate payment from health insurers for the products and services comprising Rosetta's technology; competition from others using technology similar to Rosetta's and others developing products for similar uses; Rosetta's dependence on collaborators; and Rosetta's short operating history; as well as those risks more fully discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of Rosetta's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2010 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent Rosetta's views only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. Rosetta does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements unless required by law.

SOURCE Rosetta Genomics, Ltd.