BOUNCE

[ottoman]

watching ABUS -44% apparently on good news? ..Arbutus reports positive preliminary results from early-stage AB-729 trial



Arbutus Biopharma (NASDAQ:ABUS) announces positive preliminary results from a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial (AB-729-001) in healthy subjects and two cohorts of chronic hepatitis B subjects on nucleos(t)ide antiviral therapy, all of whom received a single subcutaneous injection of AB-729.

AB-729-001 is designed to determine the most effective dose and dosing interval for use in future Phase 2 combination clinical trials.

The results demonstrate that AB-729 is a potent RNAi agent capable of reducing HBsAg plasma levels and support further development as a treatment for people living with chronic hepatitis B.

The company plans to move forward into the multiple dose portion of the clinical trial with the 60 mg dose and, in parallel, to explore additional single dose cohorts beginning with the 90 mg dose, with results expected in H2.

Preliminary safety summary in healthy subjects:

In the 60 mg, 180 mg and 360 mg cohorts, no serious adverse events. Two subjects in the 360 mg cohort had asymptomatic, reversible Grade 3 ALT elevations assessed as related to AB-729.