- Arbutus Biopharma ( NASDAQ: ABUS ) on Wednesday said its phase 2a hepatitis B virus infection trial with partner Assembly Biosciences ( ASMB ) evaluating a combination involving drug candidates by both companies would continue, despite ASMB's decision to stop development of its product.
- ASMB in a separate release said that it would end development of its inhibitor vebicorvir .
- But ABUS and ASMB, after consultation, plan to continue their phase 2a trial investigating a combination of ABUS' RNAi therapeutic AB-729, ASMB's vebicorvir and an inhibitor therapy for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection.
- “While we respect Assembly’s decision to discontinue clinical development of (vebicorvir), we believe that it is premature to make any conclusions about any results in this triple combination clinical trial," said ABUS CEO William Collier.
- "We intend, in collaboration with Assembly, to continue the clinical trial in order to fully and accurately assess the results," Collier added.
- ABUS said preliminary data from the mid-stage trial is expected in H2 of this year.
- Arbutus ( ABUS ) stock was up 3.1% to $2.65 after hours.
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Arbutus Biopharma, Assembly Biosciences plan to continue their hepatitis B mid-stage trial