SAN DIEGO, CA, USA I December 6, 2016 I Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. (“Arcturus” or the “Company”), a leading RNA medicines company, announced today that it entered into collaboration with Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, to develop RNA-based therapeutics for the treatment of NASH and other gastrointestinal (GI) related disorders, utilizing Arcturus’ wholly-owned therapeutic delivery platform LUNAR™ and UNA Oligomer chemistry. The financial terms were not disclosed.

“Given Takeda’s long-standing commitment to and expertise in GI disorders, we are confident we have found an ideal partner to accelerate and maximize the potential of our LUNAR and UNA technology platforms toward the development of novel RNA therapeutics for the treatment of NASH,” said Dr. Pad Chivukula, CSO & COO of Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. “This agreement underscores Arcturus’ ability to rapidly discover, design and optimize RNA medicines in areas of unmet need.” 

About Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc.   

Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc. is an RNA medicines company with enabling technologies — UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR™ nanoparticle delivery. Arcturus’ versatile RNA therapeutics platform can be applied toward all types of RNA medicines including small interfering RNA, messenger RNA, antisense RNA, microRNA and gene editing therapeutics. The company owns LUNAR™ nanoparticle delivery and unlocked nucleomonomer agent (UNA) technology including UNA Oligomers™, which are covered by its patent portfolio (77 patents and patent applications, issued in the U.S., Europe, Japan and other countries). Arcturus’ proprietary UNA technology can be used to target any gene in the human genome, as well as viral genes, and other species for therapeutic purposes. The Company’s commitment to the development of novel RNA therapeutics has led to collaborations and license agreements with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, and Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc. For more information, visit www.ArcturusRx.com.

SOURCE: Arcturus Therapeutics