Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ: VIR) shares have soared 134% since the start of the year as the company jumped into the race to find a treatment for COVID-19, the illness caused by the novel coronavirus. Vir's gains -- and gains for other drugmakers working on COVID-19 treatment and prevention -- came as the coronavirus outbreak expanded, driving the general market into bear territory. Now the question is whether Vir shares can move higher after such a performance.
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Vir's presence in this race isn't surprising. The clinical-stage immunology company is focused on the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases, with work targeting hepatitis B, influenza, HIV, and tuberculosis. The coronavirus is a natural addition to the list.