University of Texas – At the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, researchers under the direction of Dr. Eric N. Olson have established themselves as pioneers in understanding the profound and unexpected roles of microRNAs and their ability to control diverse aspects of disease.

We are working closely with Dr. Olson’s laboratory to translate these early discoveries into groundbreaking therapeutics. miRagen is the exclusive licensee to several key pieces of intellectual property that we believe are essential to developing microRNA-based therapeutics in our areas of focus. In addition, we have entered into a multi-year Sponsored Research Agreement with the University and hold exclusive rights to license all future microRNA-related discoveries from Dr. Olson’s laboratory.

University of North Carolina – Based on its early discoveries, the University of North Carolina has filed patent applications related to microRNAs that regulate muscle cell proliferation and differentiation. We have entered into an exclusive license agreement with the University and believe that these discoveries complement our existing intellectual property portfolio.

University of Colorado – At the University of Colorado (CU) Cardiovascular Institute at the CU Denver School of Medicine, researchers including miRagen’s co-founder Michael R. Bristow, M.D., Ph.D., are conducting the next-generation version of a landmark serial myocardial gene expression study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 2002 (Lowes et al NEJM 346:1357-1365). We have a collaboration with the University specific to this study, which includes a sponsored research agreement and licensing agreement on miRNA therapeutics discovery and development. The sponsored research agreement will support the analysis of miRNA and gene expression changes from the study, titled “Beta Blocker Effects on Remodeling and Gene Expression (BORG),” while the licensing agreement will enable the company to commercialize intellectual property associated with discoveries made during the research project. Further analysis of the completed study, funded by miRagen, will provide the Company with data on miRNA changes in human heart failure patients followed over two years with associated disease outcomes.