Arrowhead falls on Phase IIa HBV data

Arrowhead Research Corp. (NASDAQ:ARWR) dropped $5.48 (44%) to $7.03 on Wednesday after Phase IIa HBV data for ARC-520 fell short of expectations. Arrowhead is studying ARC-520 to treat chronic HBV infection in hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative patients receiving long-term entecavir.

Patients receiving 1 mg/kg of ARC-520 had a 39% mean peak knockdown of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). Those receiving 2 mg/kg had a 51% mean peak knockdown. Enrollment is ongoing for patients receiving 3 mg/kg of ARC-520. ...