A large shareholder, Whitefort Capital Management, has urged Arbutus Biopharma to seek a partnership for the development of its lead drug candidate, imdusiran, in mid-stage testing as part of a combination therapy for curing hepatitis B. The partnership is advised to be with a larger biopharmaceutical company with an existing hepatitis franchise to maximize the probability of success and to enhance shareholder value.
Company Information
Company
Arbutus
Location
18 CAMPUS BLVD.
Warminster, Pennsylvania, United States
About
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to identify and develop novel therapeutics with distinct mechanisms of action, which can be combined to provide a functional cure for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (cHBV). We believe the key to success in developing a functional cure involves suppressing HBV DNA, reducing surface antigen, and boosting HBV-specific immune responses. Our pipeline of internally developed, proprietary compounds includes an RNAi therapeutic, imdusiran (AB-729) and an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, AB-101. Imdusiran has generated meaningful clinical data demonstrating an impact on both surface antigen reduction and reawakening of the HBV-specific immune response. Imdusiran is currently in two Phase 2a combination clinical trials. AB-101 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial. Additionally, we have identified compounds in our internal PD-L1 portfolio that could also be used in oncology indications. For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.
WarminsterBiotechnologyHealthcareHealth CareTherapeuticsPharmaceuticalBiopharma