Archemix Corporation Announces Continued Progress with Business Strategy

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Archemix Corp., a privately-held biotechnology company working to develop aptamer-based therapeutics, announced today that it has initiated a Phase 2b clinical trial of its novel anti-von Willebrand Factor (vWF) aptamer, ARC1779. Archemix also announced that as part of a transition plan, Duncan Higgons, formerly the Executive Vice President of Business Operations, will become President and interim Chief Executive Officer. Errol De Souza, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer, will continue as a member of the board of directors of Archemix. In addition, Archemix announced today that it has received notice from NitroMed that NitroMed has received a superior offer and has accordingly terminated the merger agreement between the parties.