Arrowhead Pharma discontinues clinical stage drug candidates ARC-520, ARC-521, and ARC-AAT.

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced a strategic redeployment of resources to support the development of RNAi therapeutics that utilize the company's new proprietary subcutaneous (subQ) and extra-hepatic delivery systems. Arrowhead will discontinue development of clinical stage drug candidates ARC-520, ARC-521, and ARC-AAT, which utilize the DPCiv, or EX1, delivery vehicle.

Arrowhead remains committed to finding therapeutic options for patients with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD). The company intends to advance to the clinic two previously unannounced HBV and AATD programs using its subQ platform. Arrowhead has learned a great deal during prior HBV and AAT studies that will help drive the subQ programs efficiently. Existing preclinical subQ and extra-hepatic programs such as ARC-LPA and ARC-AMG1, which are partnered with Amgen, ARC-F12, ARC-HIF2, and other unannounced programs are not affected by this decision.