Exhibit 99.1
gencaroTM potential efficacy preventing atrial flutter in Heart failure paper to be presented at 2015 HFSA aNNUAL SCIENTIFIC meeting
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The Paper, Which Describes Pharmacogenetic Enhancement of Effectiveness for Prevention of Atrial Flutter, Was Also Published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure
Westminster, CO, September 9, 2015 – ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases, today announced that the paper “Bucindolol Prevents Atrial Flutter via the Beta-1 389 Arg/Gly Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism” will be presented at the 19th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) to be held in Washington, D.C. September 26-29, 2015. The paper was recently published in the Journal of Cardiac Failure [http://www.onlinejcf.com/article/S1071-9164(15)00366-8/fulltext], the official journal of the Heart Failure Society of America and the Japanese Heart Failure Society. The lead author on the paper is cardiologist-electrophysiologist Ryan G. Aleong of the University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, and a co-author on the paper is Dr. Michael R. Bristow, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Based on prior data from the Beta-Blocker Evaluation of Survival Trial (BEST) which suggested that Gencaro (bucindolol hydrochloride) decreased incident atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF), the authors sought to investigate whether bucindolol prevented atrial flutter (AFL) to the same degree as AF in BEST. The author’s retrospective analysis was performed on data from BEST, which enrolled 2,708 NYHA class III or IV patients and included a 1,040 patient DNA substudy that genotyped patients for the β1 -AR 389 Arg/Gly polymorphism.
The author’s results indicated that in BEST there were 17 patients with AFL and 303 patients with AF on their pre-randomization baseline electrocardiogram (ECG). In patients with baseline AFL, bucindolol was associated with a higher rate of reversion to sinus rhythm compared to placebo (bucindolol 8/9 (89%) vs. placebo 2/8 (25%); p = 0.0075). In patients who entered the trial not in AF or AFL, there were a total of 45 incident episodes of AFL during the trial, with fewer new onset AFL cases in the bucindolol group [bucindolol 17/1193 (1.4%) vs. Placebo 28/1182 (2.4%); HR = 0.55 (95% CI 0.30, 1.01)]. This prevention of AFL was similar to previous reports of AF prevention by bucindolol and, therefore, AF and AFL were grouped into one endpoint (AFL/AF). There was significantly less new onset AFL/AF with bucindolol compared to placebo [bucindolol 88/1193 (7.4%) vs. placebo 137/1182 (11.6%); HR 0.58 (95% CI 0.45, 0.76)]. In the BEST DNA substudy, prevention of AFL/AF was observed exclusively in the β1 Arg/Arg subgroup [HR 0.29(0.14,0.60)] compared to the β1 Gly carrier group [HR 0.91 (0.53, 1.56)] with a significant interaction between the genotype and treatment (p = 0.019).
The authors concluded: “Bucindolol appears to prevent atrial flutter to a similar degree and by a similar mechanism as atrial fibrillation and, therefore, grouping atrial flutter with atrial fibrillation appears to be a legitimate endpoint in HFREF AF prevention trials.”
Atrial flutter is the second most common abnormal heart rhythm, or tachyarrhythmia, after atrial fibrillation. The condition is a type of supraventricular (above the ventricles) tachycardia (rapid heartbeat). In AFL, the upper chambers, or atria, of the heart beat too fast, which results in atrial muscle contractions that are faster than and out of sync with the lower chambers, or ventricles. AFL itself is not life threatening. If left untreated, the side effects of AFL can be potentially life threatening. Without treatment, AFL can also cause another type of arrhythmia called atrial fibrillation, the most common type of abnormal heart rhythm. Approximately 200,000 new cases of atrial flutter are estimated to be diagnosed in the United States each year.
About ARCA biopharma
ARCA biopharma is dedicated to developing genetically-targeted therapies for cardiovascular diseases. The Company's lead product candidate, GencaroTM (bucindolol hydrochloride), is an investigational, pharmacologically unique beta-blocker and mild vasodilator being developed for atrial fibrillation. ARCA has identified common genetic variations that it believes predict individual patient response to Gencaro, giving it the potential to be the first genetically-targeted atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. ARCA has a collaboration with Medtronic, Inc. for support of the GENETIC-AF trial. For more information please visit www.arcabiopharma.com.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding, potential timing for patient enrollment in the GENETIC-AF trial, potential timeline for GENETIC-AF trial activities, the sufficiency of the Company’s capital to support its operations, the potential for genetic variations to predict individual patient response to Gencaro, Gencaro’s potential to treat atrial fibrillation, Gencaro’s potential efficacy in treating atrial flutter, future treatment options for patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, and the potential for Gencaro to be the first genetically-targeted atrial fibrillation prevention treatment. Such statements are based on management's current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including, without limitation, the risks and uncertainties associated with: the Company's financial resources and whether they will be sufficient to meet the Company's business objectives and operational requirements; results of earlier clinical trials may not be confirmed in future trials, the protection and market exclusivity provided by the Company’s intellectual property; risks related to the drug discovery and the regulatory approval process; and, the impact of competitive products and technological changes. These and other factors are identified and described in more detail in ARCA’s filings with the SEC, including without limitation the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014, and subsequent filings. The Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
Investor & Media Contact:
Derek Cole
720.940.2163
derek.cole@arcabiopharma.com
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