Ambion and Rosetta Genomics Announce Licensing and Commercialization Deal to Advance Micro-RNA Research

Agreement provides Ambion access to Rosetta’s database of proprietary microRNA sequences for a range of applications in medical research.

Austin, TX, USA, September 12, 2005 –– Rosetta Genomics Ltd., a privately held biopharmaceutical company that develops microRNA-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents, and Ambion, Inc., an Austin, TX-based life sciences company that develops technologies for RNA analysis, today announced a collaborative licensing agreement that will provide Ambion access to proprietary microRNA (miRNA) sequences discovered and owned by Rosetta Genomics. The agreement enables Ambion to adapt its microRNA platforms to detect, quantify, and functionally characterize Rosetta Genomics' proprietary microRNA sequences. The resulting products will facilitate basic and applied microRNA research initiatives by academic and industrial scientists worldwide.

“Identifying and understanding the role of microRNAs in human health represents a new frontier in therapeutic and diagnostic research. We are very pleased that this agreement with Rosetta Genomics allows us to expand our product offering for researchers studying microRNAs making it possible to more thoroughly examine the roles of microRNAs in biological processes like neural development, immune response, viral infection, and oncogenesis,” said Matt Winkler, Chief Executive Officer of Ambion.

There is a growing body of evidence that microRNAs appear in different concentrations in healthy cells versus diseased cells. Thus, measuring and altering the amount of microRNAs in cells could be a promising tool in diagnosis and treatment for a range of diseases.

“MicroRNAs appear to play a critical role in gene expression and regulation, and are, therefore, likely to play a pivotal role in both the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. Our collaboration with Ambion will make it possible to apply Rosetta’s technology and microRNA database to research efforts that will have a significant impact on human health in the years ahead,” said Amir Avniel, President of Rosetta Genomics.

About MicroRNAs
MicroRNA molecules are a recently discovered class of small RNA molecules that are critical in the development and life cycle of humans, animals, and plants. MicroRNAs are major regulators of global gene expression and likely play significant roles in the manifestation of many disease states. Recent evidence indicates that microRNAs play a critical role in the development of cancer and certain viral infections.

About Rosetta Genomics
Rosetta Genomics Ltd., a private biopharmaceutical company with operations in the United States and Israel, is a world leader in the development of microRNA-based therapeutic and diagnostic agents. The company has developed a large and growing database of novel microRNA genes identified via its proprietary chip technology and computational algorithms. The company has filed several patents related to its novel microRNAs. Rosetta’s current development endeavors include unique classes of microRNA agents with potential applications in the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases. For more information, please visit Rosetta Genomics at: www.rosettagenomics.com

About Ambion
Ambion, Inc., The RNA Company®, is a leader in the development and supply of innovative, RNA-based life science research and molecular diagnostic products. Ambion has taken a leadership role in developing products for handling, preserving, isolating, detecting and measuring RNA in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, drug discovery and genomics. Ambion has been active in microRNA research and providing microRNA-related products since 2002. Ambion has filed several patents related to technologies for analyzing microRNAs as well as the identities of microRNAs related to cancer and other human diseases.