LA JOLLA, Calif., Sept. 26, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, today provided an update on advancements to its pipeline programs.  

Pipeline Updates

• Hepatitis B virus (HBV) Programs: The Company has identified several microRNA targets that serve as host factors for the virus.  The Company's lead compound directed to one of the host microRNAs has demonstrated sub-nanomolar potency against HBV DNA replication and >95% reduction in HBsAg in in vitro studies.  The Company believes that targeting a host factor in the liver represents a unique mechanism of action for treatment of the virus compared to other programs in development and holds the potential for achieving a functional cure. The Company currently expects to file an IND for the HBV program in the second half of 2019, with the potential of achieving human proof-of-concept in a Phase 1 study.
• Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) Program: The Company's lead anti-miR candidate targeting microRNA-10b demonstrated statistically significant improvements in survival as both a monotherapy as well as in combination with temozolamide (TMZ) in an orthotopic GBM animal model. In combination with TMZ, the addition of a single dose of anti-mir-10b, delivered intracranially, led to a more than two-fold improvement in survival compared to TMZ alone.  These and additional survival data on our lead anti-miR candidate will be presented in November 2018 at the Society for Neuro-Oncology Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana.  The Company expects to nominate a clinical candidate by year-end and plans to seek a partner to further advance its development.
• Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) Program: Across multiple animal models of NASH, the Company's lead candidate has demonstrated improvement in key endpoints, including NAFLD Activity Score (NAS), liver transaminases, hyperglycemia, and disease-related gene expression.  In the diet-induced NASH mouse model (Amylin model) after 2-4 weekly doses, early onset of improvement across multiple disease parameters including liver triglycerides and blood levels of transaminases was observed.  After 9 weeks of treatment, there was evidence of sustained benefit with significant improvement of liver fibrosis and hyperglycemia compared to control-treated animals.  The Company believes that targeting dysregulated microRNA in a complex disease like NASH may offer a unique mechanism of action from other programs in development.  The Company plans to seek a partner to further advance its development.
• Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD) Program:  In consultation with the FDA, the Company has initiated a new 27-week chronic mouse toxicity study with several changes believed to address the unexpected findings in the earlier terminated chronic mouse toxicity study. The Phase 1 multiple ascending dose (MAD) study in healthy subjects had been voluntarily paused given the unexpected findings in the chronic mouse toxicity study. These findings were unexpected given the results from the previous 7-week non-GLP and GLP toxicity studies in mouse and non-human primates required for Phase 1 testing, which had no significant findings across similar dose levels and frequencies. Data from the new study are anticipated in Q1 2019.

"We are excited to provide these updates and advancements on multiple programs.  Our past experience targeting microRNA in the liver that serve as viral host factors support our belief that our HBV program represents a novel and powerful approach to address this significant unmet need.  The progress in our GBM and NASH programs build compelling data packages for our ongoing partnering discussions, and the initiation of the new chronic toxicity study for RGLS4326 represents an important next step towards resuming our clinical program in ADPKD, if successful.  Finally, the demonstration of functional delivery to the liver and kidney via oral administration could represent a paradigm shift in the profile of microRNA therapeutics," said Jay Hagan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Regulus.  "While the recent period has been a challenging time for the company, our science continues to advance in the face of these challenges." 

About Regulus

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (Nasdaq: RGLS) is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs.  Regulus has leveraged its oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise to develop a pipeline complemented by a rich intellectual property estate in the microRNA field.  Regulus maintains its corporate headquarters in La Jolla, CA.  For more information, please visit http://www.regulusrx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with the expected ability of Regulus to undertake certain activities and accomplish certain goals (including with respect to development and other activities related to RG-012, RGLS4326, or its Hepatitis B Virus, NASH or glioblastoma programs), Regulus' estimated cash runway and anticipated cost savings associated with its planned reduction in workforce, the projected timeline of clinical development activities, and expectations regarding future therapeutic and commercial potential of Regulus' business plans, technologies and intellectual property related to microRNA therapeutics and biomarkers being discovered and developed by Regulus.  Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Regulus' current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect.  Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs.  These and other risks concerning Regulus' financial position and programs are described in additional detail in Regulus filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Regulus undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

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SOURCE Regulus Therapeutics Inc.