Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 14% Pre-Market Drop

Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst

Source: seekingalpha

Updated: Jan 16 2026

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Should l Buy ABUS?

Source: seekingalpha

Patent Revocation Impact: Arbutus Biopharma's patent was revoked by the European Patent Office, leading to a ~14% drop in pre-market stock price on Friday, which directly affects its legal disputes with Moderna and Genevant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.

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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

6 days agoseekingalpha

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.

Health Care Stocks Decline as NYSE Health Care Index Eases 0.5%

Jan 16 2026Yahoo Finance

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.

Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 18% Stock Crash

Jan 16 2026stocktwits

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.