Arrowhead Announces the Appointment of Former FDA Commissioner and National Cancer Institute Director Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to Its Board of Advisors
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Arrowhead Research Corporation (Nasdaq: ARWR) announced today the appointment of Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach to its Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Dr. von Eschenbach served as Commissioner of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration from 2005 until 2009 where he engaged an agenda to modernize the FDA. Under his leadership, many new programs were designed to strengthen the FDA, including the establishment of a nanotechnology initiative. He emphasized the FDA's role in working with external partners to assure quality throughout the entire life cycle of the products it regulates while internally fostering, through process improvements, a regulatory pathway that is transparent and efficient while still rigorous and science led. Currently, Dr. von Eschenbach serves as Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives at the Center for Health Transformation, founded by Newt Gingrich, and leads the 21st Century FDA Modernization Project.
"Science and technology are revolutionizing medicine, and nanotechnology is at the forefront of that progress"
Dr. von Eschenbach joined the FDA after serving for four years as Director of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health where he set an ambitious goal to eliminate the suffering and death due to cancer by rapid acceleration and integration of the discovery-development-delivery continuum. While at NCI, he committed resources to ensure the application to oncology of nanotechnology, genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and other emerging technologies.
"Dr. von Eschenbach is a big addition to our team," said Arrowhead CEO, Dr. Christopher Anzalone. "He has a uniquely complete perspective on medicine, with deep understanding of science, the regulatory pathway, and healthcare delivery system. His active involvement at Arrowhead will be very powerful as we focus increasingly on nanomedicine."
"Science and technology are revolutionizing medicine, and nanotechnology is at the forefront of that progress," said Dr. von Eschenbach. "I am pleased to provide guidance to Arrowhead Research as it endeavors to translate the science of nanotechnology into products that will save lives and eliminate disease."
Dr. von Eschenbach joins Nobel laureate Lee Hartwell, Mauro Ferrari, Chad Mirkin, and Tom Tombrello on Arrowhead's SAB. These are some of the world's greatest thought leaders in science and medicine. They will work closely with Arrowhead's CEO and management team to help develop a dynamic scientific roadmap and operating strategy. The SAB provides broad scientific direction for the Company, as well as very specific recommendations with respect to technologies that could serve as the basis for new companies, technologies that could augment the scientific and market positions of existing subsidiaries, and recruiting world-class personnel for Arrowhead and its subsidiaries. In addition, these leaders have deep relationships within academia and industry, and will be critically involved in establishing partnerships for Arrowhead and its subsidiaries.
Dr. von Eschenbach entered government service after an outstanding career over three decades as a physician, surgeon, oncologist and executive that included numerous leadership roles from Chairman of the Department of Urologic Oncology to Executive Vice President and Chief Academic at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, an institution world renowned for the magnitude and excellence of its clinical and research cancer programs. An internationally renowned cancer specialist and author of more than 200 scientific articles and studies, Dr. von Eschenbach has served in numerous leadership roles, including serving as one of the founding members of the National Dialogue on Cancer. He has received numerous professional awards and honors. In 2006, Dr. von Eschenbach was named one of Time magazine's "100 most influential people to shape the world", and in both 2007 and 2008, he was selected as one of the Modern Healthcare/Modern Physician's "50 Most Powerful Physician Executives in Healthcare".
Dr. von Eschenbach earned a B.S. from St. Joseph's University in his native Philadelphia and his medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C. He served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps. After completing a residency in urologic surgery at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, he was an instructor in urology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. He completed a Fellowship in Urologic Oncology at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center.
About Arrowhead Research Corporation
Arrowhead Research Corporation (www.arrowheadresearch.com) (NASDAQ: ARWR) is a nanotechnology company commercializing new technologies in the areas of life sciences and electronics. Arrowhead is seeking to build value for shareholders through the progress of its subsidiaries and investments. Currently, Arrowhead is focused primarily on its two majority owned subsidiaries; Unidym, a leader in carbon nanotube technology for electronic applications, and Calando, at the forefront of clinical application of RNAi delivery technology. Arrowhead also has minority investments in two privately held nanobiotech companies.
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This news release contains forward-looking 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 future success of our clinical studies, our ability to successfully develop and manufacture products, rapid technological change in our industry, changes in demand for our future products, legislative, regulatory and competitive developments and general economic conditions. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other SEC filings discuss these and other 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.