ARIAd

ARIAD is a name used for several organizations and initiatives. The most prominent usage is ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a United States biotechnology company that focused on developing targeted cancer therapies.

Founded in 1991 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, ARIAD developed a portfolio of small-molecule inhibitors intended to treat cancer and related diseases. Its best-known product was ponatinib, marketed as Iclusig, a multikinase inhibitor approved for chronic myeloid leukemia, acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and other cancers.

In 2017, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company completed an acquisition of ARIAD for about $5.2 billion, and the ARIAD entity was integrated into Takeda. Ponatinib/Iclusig continued to be marketed by Takeda under its current branding and regulatory approvals.

Beyond the company, the acronym ARIAD has been used by other organizations and projects in different contexts, so its meaning can vary. The name is etymologically linked to Ariadne, a figure in Greek mythology, and some branding draws on that heritage, though in most contexts the meaning is determined by the specific organization using the acronym.