Arcturus Therapeutics Appoints Andrew Sassine as Chief Financial Officer


SAN DIEGO, Jan. 03, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ARCT), a leading RNA medicines company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics towards rare, infectious, fibrotic, and respiratory diseases with significant unmet medical need, today announced that the Company has appointed Andrew Sassine as Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective January 1, 2019. Mr. Sassine has been serving as Arcturus’ Interim Chief Financial Officer since August 2018 and has served on the Company’s Board of Directors since May 2018.

“Andy has already made meaningful contributions, both as Interim CFO and as a board member, and we are delighted to confirm his appointment as CFO,” said Joseph Payne, President & CEO of Arcturus Therapeutics. “Andy’s cross-industry experience counseling life sciences companies, as well as his experience as an institutional investor have provided him with the skillset and depth of knowledge to manage our financial affairs and help create value for our various stakeholders as we continue to innovate and advance our pipeline of RNA medicines.”

“My involvement so far with Arcturus has convinced me that Arcturus has the capabilities to become a major player in the development of RNA based therapeutics.  It is an honor to be named CFO,” said Mr. Sassine. “I look forward to continuing my work with such a talented team to achieve Arcturus’ financial and strategic objectives."  

In addition to serving on the Arcturus board, Mr. Sassine serves on the boards of iCAD, Inc. (NASDAQ: ICAD), a provider of advanced image analysis, workflow solutions and radiation therapy for the early detection and treatment of cancer, and Gemphire Therapeutics (NASDAQ: GEMP), a clinical-stage biopharma company focused on therapies for the treatment of dyslipidemia. Previously, Mr. Sassine served in various positions at Fidelity Investments from 1999 to 2012, most recently as portfolio manager. Mr. Sassine received a B.A. from the University of Iowa in 1987 and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1993.

About Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd.
Founded in 2013 and based in San Diego, California, Arcturus Therapeutics Ltd. (NASDAQ: ARCT) is an RNA medicines company with enabling technologies – UNA Oligomer chemistry and LUNAR® lipid-mediated delivery. Arcturus’ diverse pipeline of RNA therapeutics includes programs pursuing rare diseases, Hepatitis B, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), cystic fibrosis, and vaccines. Arcturus’ versatile RNA therapeutics platforms can be applied toward multiple types of RNA medicines including small interfering RNA, messenger RNA, replicon RNA, antisense RNA, microRNA and gene editing therapeutics. Arcturus owns LUNAR lipid-mediated delivery and Unlocked Nucleomonomer Agent (UNA) technology including UNA Oligomers, which are covered by its extensive patent portfolio (140 patents and patent applications, issued in the U.S., Europe, Japan, China and other countries). Arcturus’ proprietary UNA technology can be used to target individual genes in the human genome, as well as viral genes, and other species for therapeutic purposes. Arcturus’ commitment to the development of novel RNA therapeutics has led to partnerships with Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc., part of the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical, Inc., Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Synthetic Genomics Inc., CureVac AG and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. For more information, visit www.Arcturusrx.com, the content of which is not incorporated herein by reference.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties for purposes of the safe harbor provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements, other than statements of historical fact, included in this press release regarding strategy, future operations, collaborations, future financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. Arcturus may not actually achieve the plans, carry out the intentions or meet the expectations or projections disclosed in any forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Actual results and performance could differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including without limitation, an inability to develop and market product candidates.  Such statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, including those discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Arcturus’ Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on May 14, 2018 and in subsequent filings with, or submissions to, the SEC. Except as otherwise required by law, Arcturus disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.

Contact
Neda Safarzadeh
Arcturus Therapeutics
(858) 900-2682
IR@ArcturusRx.com

Arcturus Investor Contacts
Michael Wood
LifeSci Advisors LLC
(646) 597-6983
mwood@lifesciadvisors.com