LA JOLLA, Calif., June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLS), a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, announced today that it has named Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D. as Chairman of its Board of Directors effective immediately. 

Dr. Papadopoulos assumes the role of Chairman of the Board from John Maraganore, Ph.D., who will remain a member of the Board of Directors. Dr. Papadopoulos, who has been a member of the Board since 2008, has more than 30 years of experience in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries as an investment banker, board member, company founder and investor. Dr. Papadopoulos is a Board member of several companies including Biogen Idec, Inc. and Exelixis, Inc., where he is Chairman.

"Stelios brings together financial savvy, business ingenuity and scientific creativity," said John Maraganore, Ph.D., member of the Board and President and CEO of Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  "I couldn't think of a more accomplished individual to become Chairman of Regulus' Board." 

"Stelios' transition to Chairman of the Board comes at a very exciting time for Regulus," said Kleanthis G. Xanthopoulos, Ph.D., President and CEO of Regulus.  "We've achieved early success under our 'Road to the Clinic' strategy with the recent nomination of our first clinical candidate, RG-101 for the treatment of HCV.  Stelios' extensive industry knowledge and experience are perfectly suited to help advance our microRNA candidates into clinical development and position Regulus for continued success and growth."

"Regulus is a benchmark of innovation focused on harnessing the power of a transformative class of novel therapeutics and biomarkers based on microRNAs," said Stelios Papadopoulos, Ph.D., Chairman of the Board.  "I am excited to help guide our dedicated and talented team as we strive to execute on Regulus' scientific and strategic goals." 

Dr. Papadopoulos retired as Vice Chairman of Cowen and Company, LLC in 2006 after six years with the firm where he was an investment banker focused on the biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors.  Prior to joining Cowen in 2000, Dr. Papadopoulos was an investment banker at PaineWebber Incorporated, most recently serving as Chairman of PaineWebber Development Corp., a PaineWebber subsidiary focusing on biotechnology.  Prior to that, he held positions in Equity Research covering the biotechnology industry at Drexel Burnham Lambert and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.  He is a co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Exelixis, Inc., and a member of the Board of Directors at Biogen Idec, Inc., BG Medicine, Inc. and Joule Unlimited.  Additionally, Dr. Papadopoulos was a co-founder and former Board member of Cellzome, Inc. (acquired by GSK in 2012) and Anadys Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (acquired by Roche in 2011). 

Before joining Wall Street, he was on the faculty of the Department of Cell Biology at New York University Medical Center.  Dr. Papadopoulos is also deeply involved in the non-profit sector.  He is a co-founder and Chairman of Fondation Sante, a charitable foundation for scientific and educational purposes, and serves on the Board of Visitors at Duke University Medical Center.  Dr. Papadopoulos holds a Ph.D. in biophysics and an M.B.A. in finance, both from New York University.

About Regulus

Regulus Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ:RGLS) is a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs.  Regulus is leveraging a mature therapeutic platform based on technology that has been developed over 20 years. Regulus works with a broad network of academic collaborators and leverages the oligonucleotide drug discovery and development expertise of its founding companies, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals and Isis Pharmaceuticals.  Regulus is developing RG-101 for the treatment of HCV and is advancing other microRNA therapeutics toward clinical development in several areas, including oncology, fibrosis and metabolic diseases. Regulus has formed strategic alliances with AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi and a research collaboration with Biogen Idec.

For more information, please visit http://www.regulusrx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements contained in this press release regarding matters that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements associated with Regulus' expectations regarding future therapeutic and commercial potential of Regulus' business plans, technologies and intellectual property related to microRNA therapeutics being discovered and developed by Regulus.  Because such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "will," "goal," "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon Regulus' current expectations and involve assumptions that may never materialize or may prove to be incorrect.  Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation, risks associated with the process of discovering, developing and commercializing drugs that are safe and effective for use as human therapeutics, and in the endeavor of building a business around such drugs.  These and other risks concerning Regulus' programs are described in additional detail in Regulus' SEC filings.  All forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date on which they were made. Regulus undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date on which they were made.

SOURCE Regulus Therapeutics Inc.