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miRagen secures financing to advance two MicroRNA programs into clinical trials

Biopharmaceutical firm miRagen Therapeutics has secured $41m financing to advance MRG-106 and MRG-201 programs into clinical trials.

MRL Ventures, a venture fund of Merck, and JAFCO led the Series C preferred stock financing round. Brace Pharma Capital and MP Healthcare Venture Management were the other investors.

Existing investors Atlas Venture, Boulder Ventures, Remeditex Ventures, Amgen Ventures and others, also participated in the financing round.

MRG-106 is an antimiR (antagonist) to microRNA-155, which has important roles in the differentiation, function and proliferation of blood and lymph cells in hematological malignancy.

miRagen said therapeutic inhibition (antagonism) of microRNA-155 in lymphoma cells restores normal function and reduces the aberrant cell proliferation that is characteristic of cancerous cells.

MRG-201 is a promiR (agonist) to microRNA-29b, whose family is a negative regulator of various genes important in extracellular matrix deposition.

The expression of the three family members is down-regulated in several pathological fibrotic conditions, such as cardiac, renal, hepatic, and pulmonary fibrosis, as well as systemic sclerosis.

Various studies in cell-culture and genetic replacement in rodents have showed the potential of miR-29 normalization to correct several drivers of pathological fibrosis.

miRagen Therapeutics CEO William Marshall said: "We have made significant advances in translating cutting edge science into important new medicines.

"With this new investment, the team at miRagen has the financial resources to advance two product candidates into clinical development that offer potentially transformative therapies for patients who suffer from hematological malignancies and pathological fibrosis."