Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: Insert Therapeutics’ Lead Anti-Cancer Compound is Highlighted in Public Television Documentary

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Abstract:
Insert Therapeutics, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation (NASDAQ: ARWR), announced today that its lead anti-cancer compound, IT-101, will be featured in a public television documentary series produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). IT-101 is an experimental drug now undergoing clinical trials at City of Hope National Medical Center in Duarte, California.

Insert Therapeutics’ Lead Anti-Cancer Compound is Highlighted in Public Television Documentary

PASADENA, CA | Posted on October 9th, 2007

The series, named CURIOUS, consists of two one-hour documentaries that will air on public television beginning this month (check local listings.) Its focus is the research at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and the Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). One of its episodes, titled Survival, chronicles the early research on IT-101 by Dr. Mark Davis, the Founder of Insert Therapeutics and Professor of Chemical Engineering at Caltech. The show also follows the progress of the first patient in the IT-101 clinical trial.

"We are very pleased to see our Founding Scientist, Mark Davis, receive this recognition for his pioneering work in creating nanoparticle therapeutics," said John Petrovich, Chief Executive Officer of Insert Therapeutics. "The WNET documentary presents a compelling story as it explores in parallel the personal side of the process of scientific invention by Dr. Davis, and the struggles and triumphs of the first patient to undergo experimental treatment with our drug, IT-101."

IT-101 is a conjugate of Insert's proprietary drug delivery molecule, Cyclosert™, and the potent anti-cancer compound camptothecin. In June 2007, interim data from the Phase 1 study of IT-101 currently underway at City of Hope Cancer Center in Southern California was published in the 2007 American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Proceedings (Abstract ID 32638). Stable disease was reported in several patients who completed the six-cycle treatment regimen. In the patients studied, IT-101 showed longer half life, lower clearance and lower volume of distribution than seen in patients treated with other camptothecin-based drugs. The study is ongoing and Insert expects to enter Phase II studies later this year or early next year.

The CURIOUS Survival episode is scheduled to air in New York on October 11, Dallas on October 16 and in Los Angeles on November 15 at 9pm, and will be available in other markets beginning in January. Those interested in viewing the documentary should consult local listings for broadcast times or log onto the companion Web site www.thirteen.org/curious. CURIOUS is distributed by American Public Television and funded by TIAA-CREF, Peter & Merle Mullin and Stan & Barbara Rawn.

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About Insert Therapeutics, Inc.
Insert Therapeutics, Inc. ( http://www.insertt.com ), a majority-owned subsidiary of Arrowhead Research Corporation, is using its proprietary, nano-engineered, polymeric delivery system, CyclosertTM, 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. Insert’s affiliate company, Calando Pharmaceuticals, is using a related system for the systemic delivery of siRNA. The companies are pursuing this goal through internal research and development, and also through collaborations and partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.

About Arrowhead Research Corporation

Arrowhead Research Corporation (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 five subsidiaries commercializing nanotech products and applications, including anti-cancer drugs, RNAi therapeutics, fullerene-based anti-oxidants, carbon-based electronics and compound semiconductor materials. For more information about Arrowhead and its subsidiary companies, please visit our website at http://www.arrowheadresearch.com .

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

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.

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Contacts:

Insert Therapeutics
John G. Petrovich, 626-683-7200

or
Arrowhead Research
Virginia Dadey, 212-541-3707

or
Thirteen/WNET New York
Debra Falk, 212-560-3013