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Arbutus Reports Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for AB-729, a subcutaneously delivered RNAi agent, remains on track with results from additional cohorts expected in the second
About this update from Arbutus Biopharma Corporation
[{"type":"text","content":"Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for AB-729, a subcutaneously delivered RNAi agent, remains on track with results from additional cohorts expected in the second half of 2020\n AB-836, an oral capsid inhibitor, remains on track for completion of IND enabling studies by the end of 2020 Actively screening multiple new molecular entities in recently initiated COVID-19 research program Cash runway guidance extended into mid-2022 Conference Call and Webcast Scheduled Today at 8:45 AM ET WARMINSTER, Pa., Aug. 07, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company primarily focused on developing a cure for people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as well as therapies to treat coronaviruses (including COVID-19), today reports its second quarter 2020 financial results and provides a corporate update. William Collier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbutus, stated, “Despite the challenging conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, we continue to make steady progress in our Phase 1a/1b clinical trial of AB-729, a subcutaneously delivered RNAi agent, and have recently initiated an additional AB-729 90 mg single-dose cohort in HBV DNA positive subjects. We also intend to initiate two 90 mg multi-dose cohorts in the second half of this year.” Mr. Collier added, “Importantly, in March and May of this year we announced positive preliminary results from this trial, and we look forward to providing additional clinical updates in the second half of 2020. We anticipate these updates will include data from 60 mg multi-dose cohorts with dosing intervals every four and eight weeks and 90 mg single-dose week 12 data in HBV DNA negative and positive subjects. We continue to believe AB-729 is a potent RNAi agent capable of reducing HBsAg plasma levels.” Pipeline Update AB-729 AB-729 is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic targeted to hepatocytes using Arbutus’ novel covalently conjugated N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) delivery technology that enables subcutaneous delivery. AB-729 inhibits viral replication and reduces all HBV antigens, including hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), in preclinical models. Reducing HBsAg is thought to be essential to enable the reawakening of a patient’s immune system so that it can respond to the virus. Arbutus is currently conducting...