Arcturus Therapeutics Announces the Appointment of Michael R. Hodges, M.D. to the Scientific Advisory Board

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Dec 09, 2014, 06:15 ET

SAN DIEGO, Dec 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Arcturus Therapeutics Inc., a leading small interfering RNA (siRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) drug discovery and development company, today announced the appointment of Dr. Michael R. Hodges to its Scientific Advisory Board.

Dr. Michael R. Hodges has 24 years of biopharmaceutical development experience in both large pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies across a broad range of therapeutic areas, including infectious disease, oncology, respiratory and dyslipidemia. He most recently served as the Vice President of Drug Development and Chief Medical Officer for Santaris A/S, an RNA therapeutic platform company developing drugs for cancer, infectious diseases and metabolic diseases. Santaris was acquired by Hoffmann-La Roche AG in September 2014. Prior to Santaris, Michael was the Chief Medical Officer for Altair Inc., a respiratory RNA therapeutics platform company, developing inhaled drugs for asthma and other pulmonary inflammatory diseases. He served in Pfizer Global Research and Development in Sandwich UK, Groton CT USA, New London CT USA and La Jolla CA USA, for 17 years and his career has included working on the development programs for the following commercial products: Vfend^®, Eraxis^®, Diflucan^®, Zithromax^®, Tarceva^®, Inlyta^® and Viagra^®.

Before joining the pharmaceutical industry, Michael practiced internal medicine in the United Kingdom. Michael received his undergraduate degree in Pharmacology from Kings College, and medical degree at the Westminster Medical School, University of London, UK.

Pad Chivukula, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Arcturus commented, "It is with great pleasure that we announce that Michael Hodges has accepted our invitation to join the Scientific Advisory Board. His track record in the successful development of multiple RNA medicines will be invaluable to Arcturus as we transition from a research to a clinical development company."

Dr. Hodges added, "I am delighted to be joining the Scientific Advisory Board especially at such an exciting time for the company as they move their lead siRNA program LUNAR-101 for Transthyretin-Mediated Amyloidosis and mRNA drug candidates through the development process."

About Transthyretin (TTR)-Mediated Amyloidosis

Transthyretin (TTR)-mediated amyloidosis is a genetically mediated fatal disease caused by mutations in the TTR gene. Mutated TTR, which is mainly synthesized in the liver, causes errant amyloid proteins to aggregate and deposit, destroying body organs and tissue, such as the peripheral nerves and heart. TTR-mediated cardiomyopathy (FAC) affects approximately 40,000 people with the mean survival of ~2.5 years. TTR-mediated polyneuropathy (FAP) affects at least 10,000 people. There is a substantial unmet need for effective medicines for patients suffering from TTR-mediated diseases.

About Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc.

Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, Arcturus Therapeutics is focused on RNA medicines for the treatment of rare diseases. Arcturus has developed a novel, potent and safe RNA Therapeutics platform called LUNAR™, a proprietary lipid-enabled delivery system for RNA medicines including small interfering RNA, messenger RNA, antisense RNA, and microRNA oligotherapeutics. The company's UNA Oligomer™ chemistry technology and patent portfolio (34 patents, USPTO granted) enables the targeting of any gene in the human genome. For more information, visit www.ArcturusRx.com.

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SOURCE Arcturus Therapeutics, Inc.