On May 11, 2020, Arbutus Biopharma announced the establishment of a new research initiative focused on the identification of novel therapies to combat COVID-19.

The Arbutus 2020 objectives include:

• advancing the Phase 1a/1b clinical trial of AB-729, a proprietary GalNAc delivered RNAi compound;
• progressing our next-generation capsid inhibitor AB-836 through IND-enabling studies; and,
• continuing our preclinical research to develop an oral HBV RNA-destabilizer and an oral anti-PD-L1 inhibitor

The company announced preliminary results from an ongoing Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for their lead compound in March (AB-729) that demonstrated it is a potent RNAi agent capable of reducing HBsAg plasma levels. Arbtus expected additional results from the week 12 portion of the 60 mg single-dose cohort in the second quarter of 2020. Also, during the first quarter, the Company has initiated an internal research program to identify new small molecule antiviral medicines to treat COVID-19 and future coronavirus outbreaks.

Arbutus Biopharma is a publicly traded (Nasdaq: ABUS) biopharmaceutical company dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing a cure for people with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.  The Company is advancing multiple drug product candidates that may be combined into a potentially curative regimen for chronic HBV infection.