Wednesday, March 18, 2020

Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Takes Virus Measures

Pasadena-based Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday afternoon that it is taking a number of precautionary measures to help protect the health and safety of its employees, partners, and the healthcare workers and patients involved in ongoing clinical studies. The company--like every other company in the nation, and much of the world--says it is recommending employees work from home, as much as feasible and appropriate; is restricting all but the "most essential" business-related travel; easing its paid time off policies; restricting non-employee access to it facilities; and increasing cleaning in its facilities. The company said it does not expect its precautionary measures to "materially affect the projected timelines for its development programs." However, it appears the company's patients fall into the category of "high risk" patients if they were to fall ill due to the COVID-19 virus; the company said that many of the patients in one of its clinical trials have compromised lung function and/or impaired liver function and may be at increased risk of severe illness in the event of an infection.