Arbutus Biopharma Reports Positive Phase 2a Results for Imdusiran in Combination with VTP-300 and Low Dose Nivolumab in Chronic Hepatitis B Patients at EASL 2025
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 07 2025
0mins
Should l Buy ABUS?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
Promising Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B: Arbutus Biopharma's combination therapy of imdusiran, VTP-300, and low-dose nivolumab has shown a functional cure rate of 15.3% in chronic hepatitis B patients, with most maintaining lower HBsAg levels post-treatment and no serious adverse events reported.
Safety of AB-101: The oral PD-L1 inhibitor AB-101 demonstrated a safe and well-tolerated profile in clinical trials, showing no immune-related adverse events or liver dysfunction, thus supporting its potential as a treatment option for chronic HBV infection.
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Analyst Views on ABUS
Wall Street analysts forecast ABUS stock price to rise
1 Analyst Rating
1 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 4.010
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
Current: 4.010
Low
7.00
Averages
7.00
High
7.00
About ABUS
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious disease. The Company is developing imdusiran (AB-729), its proprietary, conjugated GalNAc, subcutaneously delivered RNAi therapeutic, and AB-101, its proprietary oral PD-L1 inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (cHBV). Its HBV product pipeline includes Imdusiran and AB-101. Its pipeline includes two product candidates that target various steps in the HBV viral lifecycle and consists of various programs: RNAi therapeutic (imdusiran, AB-729) and Oral PD-L1 Inhibitor (AB-101). RNAi therapeutics utilize a natural pathway within cells to silence genes by eliminating the disease-causing proteins that they code for. PD-L1 inhibitors complement its pipeline of agents and could potentially be a part of a combination therapy for the treatment of HBV by reawakening the immune system.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Arbutus Biopharma Shares Rise 10% After Patent Ruling
- Patent Dispute Update: A federal judge in Delaware ruled that the patent dispute involving Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be settled in a jury trial, leading to a ~10% rise in Arbutus Biopharma's stock, reflecting market optimism about its potential success.
- Judge's Ruling Details: Judge Joshua Wolson noted that the prosecution history of some of Arbutus's patents limits its doctrine-of-equivalents claims based on Moderna's vaccine, indicating that Arbutus must prove literal infringement to succeed, adding complexity to the case.
- Jury Trial Timeline: The jury trial is set to begin in March next year, a timeline that may influence Arbutus's stock volatility, prompting investors to closely monitor the case's developments and its potential impact on the company's future.
- Technical Context: The dispute centers on the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology developed by Arbutus and Genevant Sciences, which is crucial for preventing mRNA degradation; a favorable ruling for Arbutus could significantly impact Moderna's vaccine production.
See More
Health Care Stocks Decline as NYSE Health Care Index Eases 0.5%
- Overall Decline in Health Care Stocks: Late Friday afternoon, health care stocks broadly declined, with the NYSE Health Care Index easing 0.5%, reflecting a weakening market confidence in the sector that could impact short-term investor decisions.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuations: The drop in health care stocks may be linked to overall market sentiment fluctuations, as increased uncertainty regarding economic prospects leads to capital outflows from the health sector, affecting industry capital flows.
- Investor Focus Shift: As health care stocks decline, investors may reassess their portfolios, considering reallocating funds to other sectors with greater growth potential, which could impact capital inflows into the health industry.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: The short-term performance of the health care sector may be influenced by policy changes and market dynamics, necessitating investors to closely monitor relevant policies and market trends to make timely investment decisions.
See More
Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 18% Stock Crash
- Patent Revocation Impact: The European Patent Office revoked Arbutus's EP 2279254 patent on January 15, causing its stock to plummet over 18% on Friday, marking the largest intraday decline since July 2020, indicating market concerns about the company's future legal standing.
- Legal Response Plan: Arbutus plans to seek a review from the Enlarged Board of Appeal, asserting that the ruling will not affect its patent infringement cases against Moderna in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, demonstrating its confidence in ongoing legal battles.
- Market Reaction: Despite the sharp decline in stock price, retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from bearish to bullish, with some users viewing the drop as an opportunity to establish new positions, reflecting divergent views on the company's long-term prospects.
- Competitor Dynamics: While Arbutus's stock fell, Moderna's shares rose by 7%, and Merck's fell by 2%, highlighting varying market reactions to competitors that could influence Arbutus's competitive position moving forward.
See More
Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 14% Pre-Market Drop
- Patent Revocation Impact: Arbutus Biopharma's patent was revoked by the European Patent Office, leading to a ~14% drop in pre-market stock price on Friday, which directly affects its legal disputes with Moderna and Genevant Sciences.
- Moderna Stock Reaction: In contrast, Moderna's stock rose by ~4%, indicating a positive market reaction to the patent revocation, potentially alleviating its legal risks in Switzerland and the Unified Patent Court.
- Legal Proceedings Outlook: Arbutus stated that the ruling will impact its cases against the COVID-19 vaccine maker alongside its partner Genevant Sciences, with plans to file a petition for review in the coming months, demonstrating the company's commitment to its legal battles.
- Market Reaction Analysis: This patent revocation not only affects Arbutus's stock performance but may also have far-reaching implications for its future revenues and competitive position, especially in the context of competing against larger pharmaceutical companies.
See More
Chardan Capital Reaffirms Buy Rating for Arbutus Biopharma with $5 Price Target Intact
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers traders the fastest news alerts to stay updated on market movements.
Exclusive Content: Subscribers gain access to unique stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters.
Community of Traders: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, sharing strategies and information.
Market Winning Tools: The platform is designed to help traders make informed decisions and enhance their trading success.
See More
Arbutus (ABUS) Q2 Revenue Surges 529%
Q2 2025 Financial Performance: Arbutus Biopharma reported a significant increase in GAAP revenue to $10.7 million, surpassing expectations due to a one-time recognition of deferred revenue from the termination of its Qilu partnership, resulting in a GAAP EPS of $0.01 and a net income of $2.5 million.
Strategic Focus and Challenges: The company is concentrating on advancing late-stage clinical development for its therapies while managing costs through restructuring; however, ongoing legal disputes regarding its LNP technology could impact future financial results.
See More
Arbutus Biopharma Shares Rise 10% After Patent Ruling
- Patent Dispute Update: A federal judge in Delaware ruled that the patent dispute involving Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccine should be settled in a jury trial, leading to a ~10% rise in Arbutus Biopharma's stock, reflecting market optimism about its potential success.
- Judge's Ruling Details: Judge Joshua Wolson noted that the prosecution history of some of Arbutus's patents limits its doctrine-of-equivalents claims based on Moderna's vaccine, indicating that Arbutus must prove literal infringement to succeed, adding complexity to the case.
- Jury Trial Timeline: The jury trial is set to begin in March next year, a timeline that may influence Arbutus's stock volatility, prompting investors to closely monitor the case's developments and its potential impact on the company's future.
- Technical Context: The dispute centers on the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) delivery technology developed by Arbutus and Genevant Sciences, which is crucial for preventing mRNA degradation; a favorable ruling for Arbutus could significantly impact Moderna's vaccine production.
See More
Health Care Stocks Decline as NYSE Health Care Index Eases 0.5%
- Overall Decline in Health Care Stocks: Late Friday afternoon, health care stocks broadly declined, with the NYSE Health Care Index easing 0.5%, reflecting a weakening market confidence in the sector that could impact short-term investor decisions.
- Market Sentiment Fluctuations: The drop in health care stocks may be linked to overall market sentiment fluctuations, as increased uncertainty regarding economic prospects leads to capital outflows from the health sector, affecting industry capital flows.
- Investor Focus Shift: As health care stocks decline, investors may reassess their portfolios, considering reallocating funds to other sectors with greater growth potential, which could impact capital inflows into the health industry.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: The short-term performance of the health care sector may be influenced by policy changes and market dynamics, necessitating investors to closely monitor relevant policies and market trends to make timely investment decisions.
See More
Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 18% Stock Crash
- Patent Revocation Impact: The European Patent Office revoked Arbutus's EP 2279254 patent on January 15, causing its stock to plummet over 18% on Friday, marking the largest intraday decline since July 2020, indicating market concerns about the company's future legal standing.
- Legal Response Plan: Arbutus plans to seek a review from the Enlarged Board of Appeal, asserting that the ruling will not affect its patent infringement cases against Moderna in the U.S., Canada, and Japan, demonstrating its confidence in ongoing legal battles.
- Market Reaction: Despite the sharp decline in stock price, retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from bearish to bullish, with some users viewing the drop as an opportunity to establish new positions, reflecting divergent views on the company's long-term prospects.
- Competitor Dynamics: While Arbutus's stock fell, Moderna's shares rose by 7%, and Merck's fell by 2%, highlighting varying market reactions to competitors that could influence Arbutus's competitive position moving forward.
See More
Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 14% Pre-Market Drop
- Patent Revocation Impact: Arbutus Biopharma's patent was revoked by the European Patent Office, leading to a ~14% drop in pre-market stock price on Friday, which directly affects its legal disputes with Moderna and Genevant Sciences.
- Moderna Stock Reaction: In contrast, Moderna's stock rose by ~4%, indicating a positive market reaction to the patent revocation, potentially alleviating its legal risks in Switzerland and the Unified Patent Court.
- Legal Proceedings Outlook: Arbutus stated that the ruling will impact its cases against the COVID-19 vaccine maker alongside its partner Genevant Sciences, with plans to file a petition for review in the coming months, demonstrating the company's commitment to its legal battles.
- Market Reaction Analysis: This patent revocation not only affects Arbutus's stock performance but may also have far-reaching implications for its future revenues and competitive position, especially in the context of competing against larger pharmaceutical companies.
See More
Chardan Capital Reaffirms Buy Rating for Arbutus Biopharma with $5 Price Target Intact
Real-time Intelligence: Benzinga Pro offers traders the fastest news alerts to stay updated on market movements.
Exclusive Content: Subscribers gain access to unique stories and insights generated by Benzinga reporters.
Community of Traders: Over 10,000 serious traders are part of the Benzinga Pro community, sharing strategies and information.
Market Winning Tools: The platform is designed to help traders make informed decisions and enhance their trading success.
See More
Arbutus (ABUS) Q2 Revenue Surges 529%
Q2 2025 Financial Performance: Arbutus Biopharma reported a significant increase in GAAP revenue to $10.7 million, surpassing expectations due to a one-time recognition of deferred revenue from the termination of its Qilu partnership, resulting in a GAAP EPS of $0.01 and a net income of $2.5 million.
Strategic Focus and Challenges: The company is concentrating on advancing late-stage clinical development for its therapies while managing costs through restructuring; however, ongoing legal disputes regarding its LNP technology could impact future financial results.
See More
