Rosetta Genomics Ltd., of Rehovot, Israel, received U.S. Patent No. 7,250,496, which relates to human microRNA miR-492.

Senomyx Inc., of San Diego, was issued U.S. Patent No. 7,241,880, titled "T1R Taste Receptors and Genes Encoding Same," which contains broad claims covering the human T1R2 taste receptor.

Targeted Genetics Corp., of Seattle received U.S. Patent No. 7,241,447, titled "Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors and Uses Thereof." It is issued to the University of Iowa Research Foundation and exclusively licensed to Targeted Genetics.

VGX Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Blue Bell, Pa., was granted U.S. Patent No. 7,238,522, titled "Device and Methods for Biomaterial Production," which covers its DNA plasmid manufacturing technology. The company also received U.S. Patent No. 7,245,963, titled "Electrode Assembly for Constant-Current Electroporation and Use," covering a device for the delivery of macromolecules, including DNA plasmids, to tissues.

VIA Pharmaceuticals Inc., of San Francisco, received a patent, titled "Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Preparation and Uses Thereof," which cover compounds that exhibit phosphodiesterase inhibition, principally PDE4 inhibition, and might be active in certain PDE subtypes.