Arrowhead Research Corporation
 
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PRESS RELEASE
October 7, 2008
Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Contacts:

James C. Hamilton, M.D.
Telephone: M.D.
Email: info@calandopharma.com

 

Calando Patent Issued for Active Ingredient of Lead siRNA Drug Candidate, CALAA-01


PASADENA, Calif. - October 7, 2008 - Calando Pharmaceuticals, Inc. ("Calando"), a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ: ARWR), announced today the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 7,427,605, entitled, "Inhibitors of ribonucleotide reductase subunit 2 and uses thereof." The patent contains claims directed to inhibitory nucleic acid sequences targeting the Ribonucleotide Reductase Subunit 2 ("R2") gene, as well as pharmaceutical compositions and methods for inhibiting tumor growth utilizing the sequences. R2 is the gene targeted by Calando's lead siRNA-containing nanoparticle therapeutic, CALAA-01, which is currently in a Phase I clinical trial for patients with non-resectable or metastatic solid tumors. CALAA-01 is the only RNAi therapeutic for cancer to have reached the clinic.

"The issuance of this patent is an important milestone for Calando," said Dr. Jeremy Heidel, Ph.D., Calando's Chief Scientific Officer for Nucleic Acid Delivery. "It provides a significant addition to the strong patent portfolio that Calando maintains for its CALAA-01 product."

About Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Calando Pharmaceuticals Inc. (www.calandopharma.com), a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ: ARWR), is a biopharmaceuticals company using proprietary technologies developed at Caltech to create targeted siRNA-based therapeutics and small molecule nanoparticle drug conjugates. Calando uses its innovative Cyclosert(TM) and RONDEL(TM) nanoparticle systems to solve the long-standing obstacle of effective delivery and targeting for oligonucleotide and small molecule therapeutics.

Calando's Cyclosert(TM) technology uses cyclodextrins as building blocks to create an entirely new class of biocompatible materials - linear cyclodextrin-containing polymers that are non-toxic and non-immunogenic at therapeutic doses. The Company leverages Cyclosert(TM) to design, develop and commercialize drug-delivery-enhanced small-molecule therapeutics. IT-101 is Calando's lead small molecule Cyclosert conjugate, which recently completed a phase I study in solid tumors at City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Calando's RONDEL(TM) technology involves the use of cyclodextrin-containing polymers that form the foundation for its two-part siRNA delivery system. The first component is a linear, cyclodextrin-containing polycation that, when mixed with small interfering RNA (siRNA), binds to the anionic "backbone" of the siRNA. The polymer and siRNA self-assemble into nanoparticles smaller than 100 nm in diameter that fully protect the siRNA from nuclease degradation in serum. The siRNA delivery system has been designed to allow for intravenous injection. Upon delivery to the target cell, the targeting ligand binds to membrane receptors on the cell surface and the RNA-containing nanoparticle is taken into the cell by endocytosis. There, chemistry built into the polymer functions to unpackage the siRNA from the delivery vehicle. Based upon this breakthrough in siRNA delivery enabled by the RONDEL(TM) system, the promise of using siRNA in new systemic therapies may finally be realized.




About Arrowhead Research Corporation

Arrowhead Research Corporation (www.arrowheadresearch.com) is a publicly-traded nanotechnology company commercializing new technologies in the areas of life sciences, electronics, and energy. Arrowhead is building value for shareholders through the progress of majority owned subsidiaries founded on nanotechnologies originally developed at universities. The company works closely with universities to source early stage deals and to generate rights to intellectual property covering promising new nanotechnologies. Currently, Arrowhead has four subsidiaries commercializing nanotech products and applications, including anti-cancer drugs, RNAi therapeutics, carbon-based electronics and compound semiconductor materials.


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 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. Arrowhead Research Corporation’s 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 Statements 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.