Arrowhead Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ARWR) announced
today the U.S. Patent Office has issued U.S. Patent 7,018,609,
Compositions Containing Inclusion Complexes. The patent is co-owned by
the California Institute of Technology and Arrowhead's majority-owned
subsidiary, Insert Therapeutics. In addition to covering applications
pursued by Insert, the technology is licensed for use in RNAi
therapeutics to Calando Pharmaceuticals, another majority-owned
subsidiary of Arrowhead.
The patent claims cover methods of preparing new therapeutic compositions by assembling drug agents, cyclodextrin-containing polymers and compounds that provide stabilization and targeting abilities. The assembly of the new compositions occurs through the formation of inclusion complexes between the cyclodextrin-containing polymers and the stabilizing/targeting agents. These interactions do not involve the formation of strong chemical bonds and thus provide new ways of PEGylating and targeting that distinguish this technology from other patented approaches to the stabilization and targeting of small molecule, protein and nucleic acid therapeutics.
The PTO's decision to allow the claims set forth in the patent strengthens our competitive position as we bring both small molecule therapeutics (Insert) and RNAi therapeutics (Calando) to market," said R. Bruce Stewart, Arrowhead's Chairman. "Arrowhead intends to maintain focus on creating barriers to entry through patent protection in these key technology areas."
Patent 7,018,609 is part of a growing portfolio of U.S. and international patents and patent applications protecting technology being developed at Arrowhead subsidiaries. Insert recently obtained FDA approval to commence a Phase I clinical trial for its first anti-cancer product, IT-101. Calando recently announced a collaboration with the National Cancer Institute to develop RNAi for cancer therapeutics.
For more information about Insert and Calando, please visit their websites at www.insertt.com and www.calandopharma.com.
About Arrowhead Research Corporation
Arrowhead Research Corporation (www.arrowheadresearch.com) is a diversified nanotechnology company structured to commercialize products expected to have revolutionary impacts on a variety of industries, including materials, electronics, life sciences and energy.
There are three strategic components to Arrowhead's business model:
-- Outsourced R&D Program: Arrowhead identifies patented or patent-pending technologies at universities or government labs and funds additional development of those technologies in exchange for exclusive rights to commercialize the resulting prototypes. Leveraging the resources and infrastructure of these institutions provides Arrowhead with a cost-effective development pipeline. Currently, Arrowhead is supporting efforts in drug discovery tools, stem cell technology and nanoelectronics at the California Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Duke University, respectively.
-- Commercialization Program: After prototypes have been sufficiently developed in the laboratories, Arrowhead forms or acquires majority-owned subsidiaries to commercialize the technology and provides the subsidiaries with strategic, managerial and operational support. By doing so, each research team is able to maintain focus on its specific technology and each management team can focus on specific markets, increasing the likelihood of successful technological development and commercialization. At present, Arrowhead owns majority interest in subsidiaries commercializing diverse technologies, including anti-cancer drugs, RNAi therapeutics, compound semiconductor materials and nanotube technology.
-- The Patent Toolbox: Arrowhead has acquired or exclusively licensed patents and patent applications covering a broad range of nanotechnology. The Company actively adds to its intellectual property portfolio.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, the future success of our scientific studies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and 10-Q/A, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, our Registration Statement on Form S-3, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.
The patent claims cover methods of preparing new therapeutic compositions by assembling drug agents, cyclodextrin-containing polymers and compounds that provide stabilization and targeting abilities. The assembly of the new compositions occurs through the formation of inclusion complexes between the cyclodextrin-containing polymers and the stabilizing/targeting agents. These interactions do not involve the formation of strong chemical bonds and thus provide new ways of PEGylating and targeting that distinguish this technology from other patented approaches to the stabilization and targeting of small molecule, protein and nucleic acid therapeutics.
The PTO's decision to allow the claims set forth in the patent strengthens our competitive position as we bring both small molecule therapeutics (Insert) and RNAi therapeutics (Calando) to market," said R. Bruce Stewart, Arrowhead's Chairman. "Arrowhead intends to maintain focus on creating barriers to entry through patent protection in these key technology areas."
Patent 7,018,609 is part of a growing portfolio of U.S. and international patents and patent applications protecting technology being developed at Arrowhead subsidiaries. Insert recently obtained FDA approval to commence a Phase I clinical trial for its first anti-cancer product, IT-101. Calando recently announced a collaboration with the National Cancer Institute to develop RNAi for cancer therapeutics.
For more information about Insert and Calando, please visit their websites at www.insertt.com and www.calandopharma.com.
About Arrowhead Research Corporation
Arrowhead Research Corporation (www.arrowheadresearch.com) is a diversified nanotechnology company structured to commercialize products expected to have revolutionary impacts on a variety of industries, including materials, electronics, life sciences and energy.
There are three strategic components to Arrowhead's business model:
-- Outsourced R&D Program: Arrowhead identifies patented or patent-pending technologies at universities or government labs and funds additional development of those technologies in exchange for exclusive rights to commercialize the resulting prototypes. Leveraging the resources and infrastructure of these institutions provides Arrowhead with a cost-effective development pipeline. Currently, Arrowhead is supporting efforts in drug discovery tools, stem cell technology and nanoelectronics at the California Institute of Technology, Stanford University and Duke University, respectively.
-- Commercialization Program: After prototypes have been sufficiently developed in the laboratories, Arrowhead forms or acquires majority-owned subsidiaries to commercialize the technology and provides the subsidiaries with strategic, managerial and operational support. By doing so, each research team is able to maintain focus on its specific technology and each management team can focus on specific markets, increasing the likelihood of successful technological development and commercialization. At present, Arrowhead owns majority interest in subsidiaries commercializing diverse technologies, including anti-cancer drugs, RNAi therapeutics, compound semiconductor materials and nanotube technology.
-- The Patent Toolbox: Arrowhead has acquired or exclusively licensed patents and patent applications covering a broad range of nanotechnology. The Company actively adds to its intellectual property portfolio.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based upon our current expectations and speak only as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements as a result of various factors and uncertainties, including the recent economic slowdown affecting technology companies, the future success of our scientific studies, our ability to successfully develop products, rapid technological change in our markets, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K and 10-K/A, recent and forthcoming Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and 10-Q/A, recent Current Reports on Forms 8-K and 8-K/A, our Registration Statement on Form S-3, and other SEC filings discuss some of the important risk factors that may affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason.