ARCA biopharma Appoints William R. Hiatt as Director of Clinical and Regulatory Strategy

    BROOMFIELD, Colo., Aug. 14 /EMWNews/ -- 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.