Is Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc (ARWR)’s Recently Published U.S. Patent Application A Blockbuster?

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ARWR) has been able to identify high-affinity targeting ligands that can target cancerous tumors, as well as the lungs. On August 15, 2019 the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published Arrowhead’s latest patent application, Publication No. 20190248832 for Alpha-V Beta-6 Integrin Ligands and Uses Thereof.

This patent application seeks to protect new high-affinity targeting ligand compositions that allow RNAi trigger sequences to be delivered to extrahepatic targets. The compositions comprise αvβ6 integrin ligands that have serum stability and a high affinity for αvβ6 integrins. Arrowhead is claiming in its patent application that its new compositions can target the following cell types:

– type I and II alveolar epithelial cell,

– goblet cell,

– secretory epithelial cell,

– ciliated epithelial cell,

– corneal and conjunctival epithelial cell,

– dermal epithelial cell,

– cholangiocyte, enterocyte, ductal epithelial cell,

– glandular epithelial cell,

– renal tubule, and epithelial tumors (carcinomas).

These cells can be found in various tissues throughout the body including: the lung, cancer tumors, bile ducts, intestines, breasts, glands, and kidneys. Based on Arrowhead’s corporate presentations, it is believed that Arrowhead’s ARO-ENaC drug uses the αvβ6 integrin ligands to target the lungs with high specificity.

If the developed compositions of the αvβ6 integrin ligands turn out to be as successful as Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ: ARWR) is beginning to show in its preliminary data for ARO-ENaC, this patent application can potentially have profound implications for extrahepatic targeting of RNAi. An issued patent would provide Arrowhead with a legal monopoly and allow it to corner the market with its newly developed extrahepatic targeting compositions for around 17 years.

If Arrowhead can establish a monopoly with its newly developed extrahepatic compositions, this new patent application has the potential to be a blockbuster.

Author: Robert Toczycki, J.D., MBA

Robert Toczycki, J.D., MBA is an independent analyst. His primary experience is as an Intellectual Property Attorney focusing on the development, management and monetization of IP portfolios in the high-tech arena. Toczycki founded bioboyscout.com, the world’s first online biotech valuation calculators that help eliminate bias and challenge private valuation models of Wall Street analysts.

Disclosure: long ARWR.