RNA interference (RNAi):
One of the major discoveries in the last decade, RNA interference (RNAi) constitutes an abundant and evolutionarily conserved class of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. It includes small non-coding RNA molecules such as short interfering RNA (siRNA) and micro RNA (miRNA) which have emerged as critical regulators in the mammalian gene expression and hold the promise to selectively inhibit expression of disease causing genes. Recent advances have revealed profound functions for micro RNAs in numerous facets of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and obesity. Micro RNAs are currently recognized as regulators of expression of most genes; consequently, they play critical roles in a wide array of biological processes, including cell differentiation, proliferation, death, metabolism, and energy
homeostasis. The most important difference between micro RNA therapy and traditional drug therapy is that traditional drugs have specific cellular targets whereas micro RNAs modulate the entire functional network. The fact that miRNAs have numerous molecular targets increases the probability of non-specific targets. A detailed knowledge of their authentic gene targets, functions, and tissue distribution is necessary to employ RNAi technology for drug development. While some of the bioinformatically predicted targets turn out to be false, others are entirely overlooked. All Virocan targets are carefully validated. They become part of our pipeline of drugs only after establishment of proof of concept with tissue specific expression.