Arbutus to Present AB-729 and AB-836 Data at EASL Congress 2023
June 07 2023 - 1:01AM
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage
biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology
expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral
diseases, today announced that two abstracts have been accepted for
poster presentations at the European Association for the Study of
the Liver (EASL) Congress 2023 taking place June 21 - 24, 2023 in
Vienna, Austria.
The accepted abstracts for poster presentations
are as follows:
Abstract Number:
4112Title: Preliminary safety and antiviral
activity of AB-729 combination treatment with pegylated interferon
alfa-2a (IFN) in virally suppressed, HBeAg-negative subjects with
chronic HBV (cHBV) infectionPresenter: Prof.
Man-Fung YuenPresentation Date: Wednesday, June
21, 2023Key Findings: AB-729 treatment in virally
suppressed cHBV patients was well tolerated and led to mean HBsAg
declines of >1.6 log10 after 24 weeks of treatment, comparable
to other AB-729 studies. HBsAg levels < 100 IU/mL were
noted in 88% of the subjects. This interim data analysis suggests
addition of IFN was well tolerated, and AB-729 + IFN appears to
result in continued HBsAg declines in most subjects with 2 subjects
reaching HBsAg <LLOQ during IFN treatment. More data is needed
to assess the overall impact on HBsAg responses.
Abstract Number:
1281Title: Hepatitis B virus core protein variant
profiles observed in chronic hepatitis B patients treated with
capsid inhibitor AB-836Presenter: Christine L.
EspirituPresentation Date: Saturday, June 24,
2023Key Findings: HBV DNA was extracted from
plasma collected from 48 subjects enrolled in AB-836-001 who were
administered various doses of AB-836, to determine the prevalence
and impact of HBV core protein variants on virologic response to
AB-836 treatment. The results showed no viral breakthrough or
enrichment of HBV core protein resistant variants observed in
subjects receiving AB-836 for 28 days. Multiple core protein
variants at certain amino acid positions were observed to occur at
higher frequencies, suggesting viral plasticity at these sites.
Abstracts are available on the EASL Congress
2023 website at https://www.easlcongress.eu/. The posters are
expected to be made available to conference attendees at the start
of the meeting on June 21, 2023. The posters will be available
subsequently on Arbutus’ website at
https://www.arbutusbio.com/publications/.
About AB-729
AB-729 is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic
specifically designed to reduce all HBV viral proteins and antigens
including hepatitis B surface antigen which is thought to be a key
prerequisite to enable reawakening of a patient’s immune system to
respond to the virus. AB-729 targets hepatocytes using Arbutus’
novel covalently conjugated N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) delivery
technology enabling subcutaneous delivery. Clinical data generated
thus far has shown single- and multi-doses of AB-729 to be
generally safe and well-tolerated, while also providing meaningful
reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B DNA.
AB-729 is currently in multiple Phase 2a clinical trials.
About HBV
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening
liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can
cause chronic infection which leads to a higher risk of death from
cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronic HBV infection represents a
significant unmet medical need. The World Health Organization
estimates that over 290 million people worldwide suffer from
chronic HBV infection, while other estimates indicate that
approximately 2.4 million people in the United States suffer from
chronic HBV infection. Approximately 820,000 people die every year
from complications related to chronic HBV infection despite the
availability of effective vaccines and current treatment
options.
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) is
a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive
virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target
specific viral diseases. Our current focus areas include Hepatitis
B virus (HBV), SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses. To address HBV,
we are developing a RNAi therapeutic, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, and
an oral RNA destabilizer to potentially identify a combination
regimen with the aim of providing a functional cure for patients
with chronic HBV by suppressing viral replication, reducing surface
antigen and reawakening the immune system. We believe our lead
compound, AB-729, is the only RNAi therapeutic with evidence of
immune re-awakening. AB-729 is currently being evaluated in
multiple phase 2 clinical trials. We also have an ongoing drug
discovery and development program directed to identifying novel,
orally active agents for treating coronaviruses, (including
SARS-CoV-2), for which we have nominated a compound and have begun
IND-enabling pre-clinical studies. In addition, we are also
exploring oncology applications for our internal PD-L1 portfolio.
For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements and
Information
This press release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian
securities laws (collectively, forward-looking statements).
Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements
about our future development plans for our product candidates; the
expected cost, timing and results of our clinical development plans
and clinical trials with respect to our product candidates; and our
expectations with respect to the release of data from our clinical
trials and the expected timing thereof.
With respect to the forward-looking statements
contained in this press release, Arbutus has made numerous
assumptions regarding, among other things: the effectiveness and
timeliness of preclinical studies and clinical trials, and the
usefulness of the data; the timeliness of regulatory approvals; the
continued demand for Arbutus’ assets; and the stability of economic
and market conditions. While Arbutus considers these assumptions to
be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to
significant business, economic, competitive, market and social
uncertainties and contingencies, including uncertainties and
contingencies related to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and patent
litigation matters.
Additionally, there are known and unknown risk
factors which could cause Arbutus’ actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements contained herein. Known risk factors
include, among others: anticipated pre-clinical studies and
clinical trials may be more costly or take longer to complete than
anticipated, and may never be initiated or completed, or may not
generate results that warrant future development of the tested
product candidate; Arbutus may elect to change its strategy
regarding its product candidates and clinical development
activities; Arbutus may not receive the necessary regulatory
approvals for the clinical development of Arbutus’ products;
economic and market conditions may worsen; uncertainties associated
with litigation generally and patent litigation specifically;
Arbutus and its collaborators may never realize the expected
benefits of the collaborations; market shifts may require a change
in strategic focus; and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could
significantly disrupt Arbutus’ clinical development programs.
A more complete discussion of the risks and
uncertainties facing Arbutus appears in Arbutus’ Annual Report on
Form 10-K, Arbutus’ Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Arbutus’
continuous and periodic disclosure filings, which are available at
www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements
herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary
statement, and Arbutus disclaims any obligation to revise or update
any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the
result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements
contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments,
except as required by law.
Contact Information
Investors and Media
Lisa M. CaperelliVice President, Investor RelationsPhone:
215-206-1822Email: lcaperelli@arbutusbio.com
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