Arrowhead Research Corp. on Monday announced the appointment of Christopher Anzalone as president and chief executive cfficer, succeeding company founder Bruce Stewart.

Arrowhead said it will acquire Benet Group LLC, a private equity firm founded and led by Anzalone as a vehicle to build new nanobiotechnology companies. Arrowhead is a holding company for several companies that are commercializing nanotechnologies in the life sciences, electronics and energy industries.

The appointment was effective Dec. 1. Anzalone also was appointed to Arrowhead’s board of directors. Stewart will continue to serve as executive chairman.

Prior to Benet, Anzalone was a partner at the Washington DC-based private equity firm Galway Partners, LLC. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in

Biology from UCLA and a B.A. in covernment from Lawrence University.