Arbutus' Hepatitis B Candidate Shows Encouraging Antiviral Activity

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation ABUS has announced preliminary data from its Phase 1a/1b trial of AB-836, an oral hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid inhibitor that interacts with HBV core protein, which in turn is required for viral replication.
Arbutus shares are soaring after the Patent Trial and Appeals Board has turned down Moderna Inc's MRNA appeal to invalidate two of Arbutus' patents on the COVID-19 Vaccine Delivery Technology Patent.
AB-836 is generally safe and well-tolerated in healthy subjects and patients with cHBV and provides the robust antiviral activity.
One healthy subject who received 50mg once daily discontinued after treatment on day 13 due to agitation's adverse event (AE).
All but three AEs were mild, and only one was assessed as related to AB-836 (Grade 1 rash).
Arbutus continues to enroll and dose cHBV patients in Part 3 of the clinical trial and anticipates presenting additional data at a medical conference in 2022.
Related Link: Arbutus Biopharma, Vaccitech Team Up To Develop Combo Treatment For Hepatitis B.
Price Action: ABUS shares are up 58.6% at $5.01 during the market session on the last check Wednesday.