Is Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals Stock a Buy or Sell After the CEO Sold Shares Worth $5.4 Million?

Company Overview - Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutics targeting serious diseases, particularly liver disorders and cardiometabolic conditions [8][9] - The company has a robust clinical pipeline that includes drug candidates such as ARO-AAT, ARO-APOC3, and JNJ-3989, and generates revenue through licensing agreements, research collaborations, and milestone payments from pharmaceutical partners [8][9] - As of the most recent financial data, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals has 609 employees, a total revenue of $829.45 million, and a net income of -$1.63 million for the trailing twelve months (TTM) [5] Recent Developments - On December 17, 2025, CEO Christopher Richard Anzalone sold 85,000 shares of Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals for approximately $5.44 million, which aligns with his historical trading activity [1][2][7] - The sale occurred during a period of significant stock performance, with a total return of 249.37% over the prior year, and the stock closing at $64.80 on the transaction date [2][12] - The timing of the sale suggests it was part of a tax-planning strategy related to performance awards that vested in December [4][11] Market Context - The stock price surged following the FDA approval of Arrowhead's first medicine, plozasiran (marketed as Redemplo), for treating familial chylomicronemia syndrome, reaching a 52-week high of $76.76 on January 6 [12] - The current elevated price-to-sales ratio indicates that while it may be a good time for shareholders to sell, waiting for a price drop before reinvesting could be a more strategic approach [13] Competitive Edge - Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals' competitive advantage lies in its proprietary RNAi delivery technologies, which enable the treatment of previously untreatable diseases [10]