Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company based in Pasadena, California. Arrowhead’s products in development act through
RNA interference
RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules are involved in sequence-specific suppression of gene expression by double-stranded RNA, through translational or transcriptional repression. Historically, RNAi was known by o ...
(RNAi) mechanisms of action.
The company focuses on treatments for
hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the ''Hepatitis B virus'' (HBV) that affects the liver; it is a type of viral hepatitis. It can cause both acute and chronic infection.
Many people have no symptoms during an initial infection. Fo ...
, liver disease associated with
alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD or AATD) is a genetic disorder that may result in lung disease or liver disease. Onset of lung problems is typically between 20 and 50 years of age. This may result in shortness of breath, wheezing, or an inc ...
and
cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. CVD includes coronary artery diseases (CAD) such as angina and myocardial infarction (commonly known as a heart attack). Other CVDs include stroke, h ...
.
The company has eight products in its pipeline, in various stages of development.
In 2015, the company substantially expanded its intellectual property holdings through complete acquisition of the full
RNAi
RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules are involved in sequence-specific suppression of gene expression by double-stranded RNA, through translational or transcriptional repression. Historically, RNAi was known by o ...
research and development portfolio, and assets from
Novartis
Novartis AG is a Swiss-American multinational pharmaceutical corporation based in Basel, Switzerland and
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States (global research).name="novartis.com">https://www.novartis.com/research-development/research-loc ...
.
In April 2016, it was announced that the former company name, Arrowhead Research Corporation, will be changed to Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
In September 2016, Arrowhead entered into two collaboration and licensing agreements with
Amgen
Amgen Inc. (formerly Applied Molecular Genetics Inc.) is an American multinational biopharmaceutical Corporation, company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. One of the world's largest independent biotechnology companies, Amgen was esta ...
. Under the deals,
Amgen
Amgen Inc. (formerly Applied Molecular Genetics Inc.) is an American multinational biopharmaceutical Corporation, company headquartered in Thousand Oaks, California. One of the world's largest independent biotechnology companies, Amgen was esta ...
received a worldwide exclusive license to Arrowhead’s ARO-LPA
RNAi
RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules are involved in sequence-specific suppression of gene expression by double-stranded RNA, through translational or transcriptional repression. Historically, RNAi was known by o ...
program and an option to a worldwide exclusive license for ARO-AMG1, both for cardiovascular disease.
On Oct. 31, 2018, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc. closed on a $3.7 billion license and collaboration agreement with Janssen to develop and commercialize ARO-HBV. As part of the deal, Arrowhead entered into a research collaboration and option agreement with Janssen to potentially collaborate for up to three more RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics against new targets to be selected by Janssen.
References
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Pharmaceutical companies of the United States