Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Insert Therapeutics Signs New Partnership With R&D-Biopharmaceuticals

Home > Press > Insert Therapeutics Signs New Partnership With R&D-Biopharmaceuticals

Abstract:
Exclusive Licensing Agreement Will Apply Cyclosert Transport System With Second Generation Epothilone Cancer Compounds.

Insert Therapeutics Signs New Partnership With R&D-Biopharmaceuticals

PASADENA, CA | Posted on March 2nd, 2007

Arrowhead Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ARWR) announced today that Insert Therapeutics,
its majority-owned subsidiary, signed a definitive agreement with
R&D-Biopharmaceuticals in which it will acquire an exclusive, world-wide
license to multiple second generation epothilone anticancer drugs. Insert
will apply its proprietary Cyclosert transport system to select second
generation epothilones now in development at R&D.

Epothilones, despite their promise as potent anti-cancer drugs, have
encountered clinical difficulties due to their toxic side effects in
patients. Cyclosert is the first nanoparticle drug transport platform to be
designed de novo and synthesized specifically to overcome limitations in
existing technologies used for the systemic transport of therapeutics to
targeted sites within the body. Based on small cyclic repeating molecules
of glucose called cyclodextrins, its application to these second generation
epothilone drugs are expected to promote their ability to inhibit the
growth of human cancer cells while remaining non-toxic and non-immunogenic
at therapeutic doses. In particular, the system is designed to keep the
drugs non-toxic until they actually reach the targeted tumor cells where
active drug is released in a controlled fashion.

"This is a significant step for both Insert Therapeutics and cancer
care delivery in general," said Edward Jacobs, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Insert Therapeutics. "We hope this collaboration will allow a
broader range of cancer patients to realize a potentially greater
therapeutic effect from potent cancer drugs that may otherwise have been
too toxic for them to receive."

"We are excited about this strategic partnership with
R&D-Biopharmaceuticals," said R. Bruce Stewart, Chairman of Arrowhead. "We
expect to continue to enhance the overall effectiveness of cancer treatment
with other therapeutic candidates in the future."

"The combination of the Cyclosert technology has already demonstrated
impressive effectiveness with other cytotoxics," Wolfgang Richter, Managing
Director of R&D-Biopharmaceuticals added. "The collaboration with Insert
Therapeutics is expected to fully leverage the potential of the new second
generation epothilones."

Epothilones are naturally occurring microtubule depolymerisation
inhibitors, which stop the growth of human cancer cells in vitro at nano or
even subnanomolar concentrations. Their attractive preclinical profile has
made epothilones important lead structures in the search for improved
cytotoxic anticancer drugs. R&D will use its proprietary know-how to
synthesize novel and proprietary epothilone derivates, whose pharmaceutical
profile will be evaluated in the relevant testing systems. Promising
candidates showing the best profile will be considered for full preclinical
development.

First generation epothilones are in clinical development by numerous
pharmaceutical companies. Among the aims of second generation epothilone
development is to optimize them for biological selectivity, stability, and
water solubility. All of these properties have been shown to be effectively
enhanced in other cytotoxic agents by use of the Cyclosert transport
system. The combination of a second generation epothilone with Cyclosert
should be highly competitive in this crowded field.

####

About Arrowhead Research Corporation
Arrowhead Research Corporation (
http://www.arrowheadresearch.com
)
(Nasdaq: ARWR) 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.

About Insert Therapeutics

Insert Therapeutics, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead
Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ARWR), is using its proprietary,
nano-engineered, polymeric delivery system, Cyclosert(TM), to design,
develop and commercialize drug-delivery-enhanced small-molecule
therapeutics and nucleic acids. Cyclosert 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 is pursuing this goal through its internal
research and development, and also through collaborations and partnerships
with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

About R&D-Biopharmaceuticals

R&D-Biopharmaceuticals GmbH is a private biotechnology company focusing
on the pre-clinical development and the commercialisation of unique small
molecules derived from natural products for diseases with unmet medical
need. The Company has exclusive access to several classes of novel second
generation epothilones discovered by its own research and partners in
Germany and to other natural product classes with promising potential for
the treatment of cancer. The Company is pursuing a partnering strategy to
fully exploit the value of its natural products.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995:

This news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the
efficacy of second generation epothilone drugs and potential future
collaborations, among other 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 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.