Arcturus Therapeutics Announces Expansion of Collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceuticals to Develop RNA-based Therapeutics for the Treatment of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) and Other GI Disorders

SAN DIEGO, Jan. 17, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. (ARCT), a leading RNA medicines company, announced today that it is extending its partnership with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (TSE:4502) (Takeda).

Under the collaboration, Takeda and Arcturus will advance their efforts to develop RNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and other gastrointestinal (GI) related disorders using Arcturus’s wholly-owned LUNAR™ lipid-mediated delivery systems and UNA Oligomer chemistry.

“This agreement with Takeda represents their continued commitment to our technology and development programs,” said Joseph Payne, president and chief executive officer of Arcturus. “Arcturus’s expertise and intellectual property in the field of RNA medicines is complemented by Takeda’s extensive clinical development experience in the GI field. Together, we aim to bring new treatments to patients with NASH and other GI disorders.”

About Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd.
Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. (ARCT) is an RNA medicines company with enabling technologies – UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR™ lipid-mediated delivery. Arcturus's diverse pipeline of RNA therapeutics includes programs pursuing rare diseases [Glycogen Storage Disease type III (GSDIII), ornithine transcarbamylase (OTC) deficiency], Hepatitis B, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cystic fibrosis, and vaccines. Arcturus’s versatile RNA therapeutics platforms can be applied toward multiple types of RNA medicines including small interfering RNA, messenger RNA, replicon RNA, antisense RNA, microRNA and gene editing therapeutics. Arcturus owns LUNAR lipid-mediated delivery and Unlocked Nucleomonomer Agent (UNA) technology including UNA Oligomers, which are covered by its extensive patent portfolio (120 patents and patent applications, issued in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and other countries). Arcturus’s proprietary UNA technology can be used to target individual genes in the human genome, as well as viral genes, and other species for therapeutic purposes. Arcturus’s commitment to the development of novel RNA therapeutics has led to partnerships with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Synthetic Genomics Inc., CureVac AG and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Inc. For more information, visit www.ArcturusRx.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward-looking Statements  
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, collaborations, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Examples of such statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Arcturus’s continued listing on the Nasdaq Global Market; Arcturus’s future operations and its ability to successfully initiate and complete clinical trials; the nature, strategy and focus of Arcturus; the development and commercial potential and potential benefits of any product candidates of Arcturus; and the continuation or modification of collaborative arrangements. Arcturus may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in the forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including without limitation, an inability to develop and market product candidates.

The forward-looking statements contained or implied in this press release are subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in Arcturus’s filings with the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Arcturus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Contact

Arcturus Therapeutics, Ltd.
(858) 900-2666 
IR@ArcturusRx.com
Attn: Neda Safarzadeh

Arcturus Investor Contacts 
Michael Wood
LifeSci Advisors LLC
(646) 597-6979 
mwood@lifesciadvisors.com