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ARCA Biopharma Appoints William R. Hiatt As Director of Clinical and Regulatory Strategy

Posted on: Thursday, 14 August 2008, 12:00 CDT

BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- ARCA biopharma, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically-targeted therapies for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases, announced today that it has appointed William R. Hiatt, MD, as Director of Clinical and Regulatory Strategy. In this newly created position, Dr. Hiatt will be responsible for developing strategic regulatory and clinical initiatives designed to support the company's lead product candidate, Gencaro(TM) (bucindolol hydrochloride), a pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator in late-stage development for heart failure, as well as other compounds in ARCA's pipeline.

"Dr. Hiatt is a recognized expert who knows cardiovascular medicine from virtually every angle: as researcher, physician, educator, clinician and former advisor to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration," said Richard B. Brewer, president and chief executive officer of ARCA biopharma. "He brings valuable experience and insight to ARCA as we prepare to introduce our first product and begin to educate the medical community about the benefits of genetically targeted treatment of heart failure."

"I look forward to working with the talented men and women at ARCA to bring important new solutions to heart failure patients," said Dr. William Hiatt. "By inaugurating the personalized medicine trail in the heart failure arena, ARCA is changing the way we offer treatment to patients with this serious chronic condition."

Dr. Hiatt is Professor of Medicine, Professor of Cardiovascular Research and Chief of the Section of Vascular Medicine at the University of Colorado Denver's Anschutz Medical Campus. Throughout his career, Dr. Hiatt's research has focused on developing new therapies for patients with peripheral arterial disease and understanding its pathophysiology in terms of the effects of muscle ischemia on muscle metabolism and function. Dr. Hiatt also is President of the Colorado Prevention Center, a non-profit medical research and disease prevention center affiliated with the university that promotes disease prevention through clinical trials and outreach programs. In addition, Dr. Hiatt served on the FDA Cardiovascular and Renal Advisory Committee from 2003 until 2008, and was Chairman of the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Committee from January 2006 to June 2008.

Dr. Hiatt received his medical degree cum laude from the University of Colorado School of Medicine; he completed his residence at Boston University Hospital and the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in 1979. He completed a fellowship in internal medicine and vascular medicine at the University of Colorado in 1981. He is Past President of the Society for Vascular Medicine and Biology and serves as an advisor to the Board of the International Union of Angiology.

About ARCA biopharma

ARCA biopharma, Inc. is a privately held company focused on developing and commercializing genetically targeted therapies for heart failure and other cardiovascular diseases. The Company's lead product, Gencaro(TM) (bucindolol hydrochloride), is a pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator being developed for heart failure and other indications. ARCA has identified common genetic variations that predict individual patient response to Gencaro. The company plans to file a New Drug Application with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration during the summer of 2008 for approval of Gencaro for the treatment of heart failure. The companion genetic test for Gencaro is in development by ARCA's partner, Laboratory Corporation of America. If approved, Gencaro could become the first genetically personalized cardiovascular therapy. For more information please visit http://www.arcabiopharma.com/.

ARCA biopharma, Inc.

CONTACT: Rebekah Brooks of Invigorate, +1-312-284-4707, Cell,+1-312-286-7134, rbrooks@invigoratepr.com, for ARCA biopharma, Inc.

Web site: http://www.arcabiopharma.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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