Benzinga | Mar 16, 2021 07:32AM EDT

Arbutus Receives Regulatory Approval To Initiate Phase 1a/1b Clinical Trial With AB-836,An Oral Capsid Inhibitor For Treatment Of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection

WARMINSTER, Pa., March 16, 2021 (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 announced that it has received regulatory approval to initiate a Phase 1a/1b clinical trial with AB-836, its proprietary oral capsid inhibitor for the treatment of HBV infection.



"We are pleased that we have received regulatory approval to proceed with our Phase 1a/1b clinical trial for AB-836, and we expect to begin dosing shortly. Initiation of this trial is an important step towards potential future proprietary combinations with AB-729 and other mechanisms," said William Collier, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arbutus.

Dr. Michael Sofia, Chief Scientific Officer of Arbutus, added, "Based on pre-clinical studies with AB-836, which is derived from a novel chemical series in this class, we believe it has the potential for improved clinical efficacy and safety as well as a favorable resistance profile relative to earlier generation capsid inhibitors. In addition, we believe that the strong potency of AB-836 as shown in in vitro testing should allow active engagement of the second mechanism of inhibiting cccDNA replenishment at clinically relevant doses."