Two GencaroTM Atrial Fibrillation Abstracts Accepted For Presentation At The American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2011

ARCA biopharma, Inc. (Nasdaq: ABIO), a biopharmaceutical company developing genetically-targeted therapies for atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular diseases, announced today that two Gencaro (bucindolol hydrochloride) abstracts have been selected for oral presentation at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2011, being held November 12-16, 2011 in Orlando, Florida. The abstracts present atrial fibrillation data from the pivotal Phase 3 BEST trial of Gencaro.

Dr. Ryan Aleong, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Cardiology, Director of Implanted Cardiac Device Clinic, University of Colorado Hospital, and Interim Director of Arrhythmia Services at Denver Health Medical Center, is scheduled to present both abstracts:

• “Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation by Bucindolol is Completely Dependent on the Beta-1 389 Arg/Gly Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism.” (Expanded Panel Discussion – EPD.400.03 – Atrial Fibrillation: Novel Insights into Mechanisms; Wednesday, November 16, 2011, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. Eastern).
• “Is New Onset Atrial Fibrillation a Surrogate Marker for Heart Failure Progression?” (Abstract Oral Session – AOS.516.01 – Ventricular Function/Hemodynamics and Biomarkers; Wednesday, November 16, 2011, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:10 p.m. Eastern).

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a disorder in which the normally regular and coordinated contraction pattern of the heart's two small upper chambers (the atria) becomes irregular and uncoordinated. The irregular contraction pattern associated with atrial fibrillation causes blood to pool in the atria, predisposing the formation of clots. These clots may travel from the heart and become lodged in the arteries leading to the brain and other organs, thereby blocking necessary blood flow and potentially resulting in stroke. In addition, in patients with heart failure with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (HFREF), new onset atrial fibrillation may also contribute to worsening heart failure and increased risk of death.

Studies estimate atrial fibrillation affected between 2 and 3 million Americans in 2005. Those same studies estimate the prevalence of atrial fibrillation will likely increase to between 3.8 million and 4.8 million by 2025. Industry estimates expect the atrial fibrillation drug market in developed countries to increase more than eight-fold, from $843 million in 2009 to $6.8 billion in 2019. The Company believes there is an unmet medical need for new atrial fibrillation treatments that have fewer side effects than currently available therapies and are more effective, particularly in patients with HFREF, where most of the approved atrial fibrillation drugs are contra-indicated or have warnings in their prescribing information.

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