Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation a biopharmaceutical company operating in the United States focuses on the discovery and development of novel therapies for chronic Hepatitis B virus HBV infection SARSCoV2 and other coronaviruses Central to its HBV product portfolio is AB729 an innovative RNA interference product candidate delivered subcutaneously Currently undergoing Phase IaIb clinical trials AB729 is engineered to target hepatocytes effectively inhibiting viral replication and reducing various HBV antigens through its unique covalently conjugated Nacetylgalactosamine GalNAc delivery technology Another promising HBV compound is AB836 an oral capsid inhibitor designed to suppress HBV DNA replication The companys research and development initiatives further include AB161 an oral HBV RNA destabilizer intended to decrease HBsAg and other viral proteins by destabilizing HBV RNA Additionally AB101 is an oral PDL1 inhibitor aimed at reengaging patients HBVspecific immune responses Arbutus is also pursuing small molecule antiviral drugs to treat coronaviruses including the virus responsible for COVID19 Arbutus Biopharma engages in various strategic alliances licensing agreements and research collaborations with partners such as Talon Therapeutics Inc Gritstone Oncology Inc Alnylam Pharmaceuticals Inc Qilu Pharmaceuticals Co Ltd Assembly Biosciences Inc Acuitas Therapeutics Inc and Antios Therapeutics Inc A clinical collaboration agreement with Vaccitech plc is also in place to evaluate AB729 within a triple combination treatment for chronic HBV infection Headquartered in Warminster Pennsylvania the company was previously known as Tekmira Pharmaceuticals Corporation adopting its current name Arbutus Biopharma Corporation in July 2015