Methods

Due to their critical role in mediating protein expression, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) represent a powerful Systems Biology tool for the elucidation of disease pathways and functional relationships between diverse genes, as well as the identification of novel therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities. The Company leverages RBPs using the following strategies:

• RBP Discovery - Ribonomics characterizes the unique expression patterns of RBPs across normal and diseased tissues. This process allows the Company to rapidly prioritize RNA binding proteins most likely to play a role in disease

• Ribonomic Analysis System (RAS™) - Tissue- and disease-specific RNPs are isolated and the bound RNAs are characterized by a proprietary process known as RAS™. The mRNA composition of these RNPs is used to elucidate functional relationships among genes and to highlight cellular pathways.

Disease-relevant perturbations in RNP composition signal disruption or realignment of critical gene regulation networks. Genes within these networks, and the proteins encoded thereby, represent novel, high-value therapeutic targets and diagnostic biomarkers.

• RiboTrap™ - Ribonomics also identifies specific RBPs associated with specific mRNAs, subsequently characterizing all relevant RNP Clusters by RAS™. The resulting information represents a substantial value proposition for pharmaceutical companies, as it provides novel pathway or mechanism of action information for validated targets, additional therapeutic targets for alternative or multi-drug therapies, and surrogate disease markers for monitoring in clinical trials.