Prometheus Laboratories Inc, a specialty pharmaceutical and diagnostic company, and Rosetta Genomics Ltd have announced the execution of a license and collaboration agreement under which Rosetta shall grant Prometheus US rights to three recently introduced, microRNA-based cancer diagnostic tests: miRview™ mets, miRview™ squamous, and miRview™ meso.
The terms of the license agreement provide for payments to Rosetta, either as milestones or research and development funding, as well as royalty payments on net sales in the US Under the terms of a separate stock purchase agreement, Prometheus will also make an equity investment in Rosetta of $8 million at $4.00 per ordinary share, representing an approximate 41% premium over the closing price of Rosetta stock over three business days. The license and collaboration agreement and the stock purchase agreement are expected to close before the end of April 2009 and are subject to customary closing conditions.
In addition, Prometheus and Rosetta have agreed to collaborate to develop two new microRNA-based gastroenterology tests, which may result in additional, success-based milestones and royalty payments to Rosetta.
Funding for development of these gastroenterology tests will be provided by Prometheus.
"Prometheus has established its position as a leader in the gastroenterology market by building an integrated portfolio of diagnostic and pharmaceutical products as well as a highly trained and efficient sales force," said Joseph M. Limber, president and CEO of Prometheus.
"Leveraging our core strengths, we intend to apply this business model to oncology, where there is an unmet need to guide the use of a growing number of targeted therapies. We believe these three molecular diagnostic tests can help oncologists personalize therapy and are ideally suited to lead our entry into the oncology market, while complementing our emerging internal oncology diagnostics program."
"We believe that with this agreement Rosetta has proven the great commercial value of its first three products, and has established itself as a leader in the development of novel, molecular diagnostic products based on microRNAs. We are delighted to enter into this comprehensive partnership with Prometheus," said Amir Avniel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rosetta Genomics. "With Prometheus these tests now will be available across the US, and will be supported by an organization with a proven ability in diagnostic testing services and in launching new products."
Source: Prometheus Laboratories Inc and Rosetta Genomics
