Arch Therapeutics Provides Corporate Update on Commercialization Efforts and Clinical Results

2021: Executing on Opportunities and Preparing for the Future

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., April 19, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arch Therapeutics, Inc. (OTCQB: ARTH) (“Arch” or the “Company”), developer of novel self-assembling wound care and biosurgical devices, today provided the following corporate update, in line with its commitment to maintain continuing dialogue with investors and other stakeholders on the progress and development of the Company.

Commercializing AC5^® Advanced Wound System
As Arch transitions to a commercialization stage, in alignment with its strategic plan to rely on the expertise of third parties, it is launching AC5^® Advanced Wound System through a distribution model. Arch has engaged and trained approximately one dozen independent sales representatives covering different territories, and it expects to continue to add additional independent sales representatives to enhance Arch’s commercialization efforts. The Company plans to support distributor and sales relationships with a sales director and clinical liaison(s), and is currently engaged with a strategic marketing firm to provide sales support materials.

Arch Therapeutics President and CEO Terrence Norchi, MD, stated, “Access to hospitals and surgeons has fluctuated during the pandemic, which has created headwinds to product placement during the launch phase. While revenue generation has been modest, the product launch is only in the early stages.” The Company notes that clinicians remain enthusiastically receptive for AC5 Advanced Wound System, and the recent addition of independent sales representatives is expected to result in acceleration of revenue growth over the course of the calendar year. Aligning to its multi-phase launch plan, the Company is implementing a controlled focus on government channels, including Veteran’s Affairs (“VA”) facilities, with expansion to non-government channels as growth continues.

AC5^® Advanced Wound System is indicated for the management of partial and full-thickness wounds, such as pressure sores, leg ulcers, diabetic ulcers, and surgical wounds. The product’s proprietary self-assembling peptide technology provides distinctive utility across all phases of wound healing. Applied via syringe, it provide a protective barrier that seals wounds of various shapes and sizes, while also serving as a scaffolding to allow for tissue repair. It also protects tissue, donates moisture and softens wound debris. Notably, a unit of AC5 Advanced Wound System covers more surface area than other advanced wound care products with which it competes.

Daniel C. Wadsworth, VP of Dermal Sciences, said, “With demonstrated effectiveness in acute surgical and chronic wounds, AC5 Advanced Wound System is well-positioned to be first-line treatment for all complex partial and full thickness wounds, potentially providing the healthcare system significant cost savings while dramatically improving patient outcomes.”

Clinical Update
Ongoing clinical activities support continued favorable results for the Company’s AC5^® self-assembling peptide technology platform. Two clinical case report abstracts were submitted and accepted for poster presentations at the upcoming Symposium on Advanced Wound Care (SAWC) in May. The SAWC is the official meeting site of the Wound Healing Society and will engage over 1,500 surgeons, wound care providers and other wound care specialists in the vital role emerging therapies play in chronic wound care and prevention.

Norchi added, “Presenting at SAWC provides an important opportunity for Arch to share valuable insights on the significant impact our self-assembling peptide technology may have on the future of wound care. We continue to be gratified with the data generated and the response from wound healing experts.”

Human Capital & Leadership
During the pandemic, the Company has added internal and external team members to support commercialization efforts, and additional members are expected this year. The talent acquisition strategy has focused on people who are inspired by our team and the opportunity to support a compelling technology, have the desire to address areas of important medical need, and are excited to have the chance to participate in the success of the product pipeline.

As previously announced, and in preparation for the planned retirement of Richard Davis, the Company expects to announce a successor Chief Financial Officer in the near future. In addition, the Company plans to expand the Board of Directors to include a Board Member with expertise in medical device commercialization.

About Arch Therapeutics, Inc.
Arch Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company developing a novel approach to stop bleeding (hemostasis), control leaking (sealant) and manage wounds during surgery, trauma and interventional care. Arch is developing products based on an innovative self-assembling barrier technology platform with the goal of making care faster and safer for patients. Arch has received regulatory authorization to market AC5 Advanced Wound System and AC5 Topical Hemostat as medical devices in the United States and Europe, respectively. Arch’s development stage product candidates include AC5-G, AC5-V and AC5 Surgical Hemostat, among others.^1,2

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” as that term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, references to novel technologies and methods, our ability to recruit additional field sales representatives and their effectiveness, our business and product development plans and projections, or market information. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with developing new products or technologies and operating as a development stage company, our ability to retain important members of our management team and attract other qualified personnel, our ability to raise the additional funding we will need to continue to pursue our business and product development plans, our ability to obtain required regulatory approvals, our ability to produce commercial quantities of our products within projected timeframes, our ability to develop and commercialize products based on our technology platform, and market conditions, and our ability to establish additional commercialization partnerships and build a critical mass of field sales representatives. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in the reports and other documents we file with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov.

Contact:
ARTH Investor Relations
Toll Free: +1-855-340-ARTH (2784) (US and Canada)
Email: investors@archtherapeutics.com
Website: www.archtherapeutics.com

or

Richard Davis
Chief Financial Officer
Arch Therapeutics, Inc.
Phone: 617-431-2308
Email: rdavis@archtherapeutics.com
Website: www.archtherapeutics.com

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¹ AC5-G, AC5-V, and AC5 Surgical Hemostat are currently investigational devices limited by law to investigational use.
² AC5, AC5-G, AC5-V and associated logos are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Arch Therapeutics, Inc. and/or its subsidiaries.