WARMINSTER, Pa., Aug. 04, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral diseases, today reports its second quarter 2022 financial results and provides corporate updates.
“This quarter we presented data at the EASL ILC which highlighted the advancements we have made in developing our lead RNAi therapeutic AB-729, capsid inhibitor AB-836, and PD-L1 inhibitor AB-101 to potentially provide a functional cure for patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (cHBV). For AB-729 we presented exciting data showing achievement of virologic control in five cHBV patients after discontinuing treatment with AB-729 and nucleos(t)ide analog (NA)-therapy. We continue to follow these patients, as well as others that have elected to discontinue treatment, and look forward to providing additional follow-up data later this year,” said William Collier, Arbutus’ President and Chief Executive Officer. “In addition, we were impressed with the competitive and robust antiviral activity seen with AB-836 and we plan to initiate a Phase 1 study in healthy volunteers to better characterize the unexpected ALT increases seen in some patients. We also look forward to completing IND-enabling studies this year with AB-161, our RNAi destabilizer, and AB-101.”
Mr. Collier continued, “We are continuing to advance our development efforts with our nsp5 main protease (Mpro) and nsp12 viral polymerase programs for SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus outbreaks. Finally, our financial position is strong with a projected cash runway into the second quarter of 2024.”
Pipeline Updates:
AB-729 (RNAi Therapeutic)
- Arbutus presented new on-treatment data as well as long-term off-treatment data for cHBV patients in the AB-729-001 clinical trial at the 2022 European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) International Liver Congress™ (ILC) on June 25th. Key findings included:
- AB-729 provided robust and comparable HBsAg declines regardless of dose, dosing interval or baseline characteristics
- 50% of patients (16 out of 32) maintained HBsAg levels below 100 IU/mL 24 weeks after their last dose of AB-729
- There was no evidence of virologic or clinical relapse in 8-24 weeks of follow-up in the first five patients who discontinued both AB-729 and NA therapy
- AB-729 continues to restore HBV-specific T-cells and decrease exhausted T-cells
- AB-729 remains generally safe and well-tolerated after completing dosing in 41 patients
- Dosed first patient in the AB-729-202 Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating AB-729, in combination with VTP-300, Vaccitech plc’s (Vaccitech) therapeutic vaccine and nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy (NA), in cHBV patients.
- Enrollment is continuing in the Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating AB-729 in combination with ongoing NA therapy and short courses of Peg-IFNα-2a (AB-729-201) in cHBV patients. The Company is on-track to report initial data in the second half of 2022.
- Dosing is continuing in the Phase 2a clinical trial evaluating AB-729 in combination with vebicorvir (VBR), Assembly Biosciences, Inc.’s HBV core inhibitor (capsid inhibitor), and an NA in cHBV patients. Preliminary data are expected in the second half of 2022.
AB-836 (Oral Capsid Inhibitor)
- In June 2022 Arbutus presented data at EASL from its AB-836-001 Phase 1a/1b clinical trial in which the Company is evaluating the safety and tolerability of multiple doses of AB-836 in patients with cHBV infection. AB-836 dosed at 100mg or 200mg once daily for 28 days achieved mean declines in HBV DNA of 3.04 and 3.55 log10 IU/mL, respectively. Two HBeAg+ patients in the 100mg dose cohort had transient Grade 3 ALT elevations that resolved with continued dosing and were not considered treatment emergent adverse events (TEAEs). Two patients in the 200mg cohort had Grade 3 and Grade 4 ALT elevations on the last day of dosing (Day 28) that returned to baseline during follow up which were reported as TEAEs. Based on these ALT findings, the Company plans to conduct an additional Phase 1 trial in healthy volunteers to determine whether or not these ALT elevations are beneficial or could be the result of liver toxicity. The Company will provide an update with respect to the status and timing of this clinical trial in the second half of 2022.
AB-101 (Oral PD-L1 Inhibitor)
- In June 2022 Arbutus presented data at EASL showing that once daily oral administration of AB-101 resulted in T-cell activation in a preclinical model. In addition, AB-101 activates and reinvigorates HBV-specific T-cells in vitro. The company is on-track to complete IND-enabling studies for AB-101 in the second half of 2022.
AB-161 (Oral RNA Destabilizer)
- Arbutus is conducting IND-enabling studies for AB-161, its oral RNA destabilizer. The Company intends to complete IND-enabling studies for AB-161 in the second half of 2022.
COVID-19 and Pan-Coronavirus Programs
- We see an opportunity to pursue a combination therapy consisting of compounds that inhibit the SARS-CoV-2 nsp5 main protease and nsp12 viral polymerase, to achieve better patient treatment outcomes and use in prophylactic settings.
- Arbutus plans to nominate a lead candidate that inhibits the SARS-CoV-2 nsp5 main protease (Mpro) in the second half of 2022 and then advance that compound into IND-enabling studies.
- The Company is continuing lead optimization activities for an nsp12 viral polymerase candidate.
PD-L1 in Oncology
- Preclinical data was selected for publication at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting in June 2022 showing that Arbutus’ oral small-molecule PD-L1 inhibitors in development, which possess a novel mechanism of action, have the ability to mediate T-cell activation in primary human immune cells. The anti-tumor efficacy seen in vivo was comparable to anti-PD-L1 antibodies. The data was published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Financial Results
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities of $200.6 million, as compared to $191.0 million as of December 31, 2021.
During the six months ended June 30, 2022, the Company received a $40.0 million (net of withholding taxes) upfront payment from Qilu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (“Qilu”) related to a technology transfer and license agreement for AB-729 in greater China, $15.0 million of gross proceeds from Qilu’s equity investment in the Company and $0.3 million of net proceeds from the issuance of common shares under Arbutus’s “at-the-market” offering program. These cash inflows were partially offset by $43.7 million of cash used in operations. The Company expects a net cash burn between $90 to $95 million in 2022, not including the $55 million of proceeds received from Qilu, and believes its cash runway will be sufficient to fund operations into the second quarter of 2024.
Revenue
Revenues were $14.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022 compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 2021. The increase of $11.9 million was due primarily to $11.0 million of revenue recognition from the Company’s license agreement with Qilu based on employee labor hours expended by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2022 to perform its manufacturing obligations under the license agreement.
Operating Expenses
Research and development expenses were $22.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $15.8 million for the same period in 2021. The increase of $7.1 million was due primarily to an increase in expenses related to the Company’s multiple, ongoing AB-729 Phase 2a clinical trials, including its collaborations with Assembly and Vaccitech, and an increase in expenses for its early-stage development programs, including AB-101 and AB-161. General and administrative expenses were $5.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2022, compared to $4.5 million for the same period in 2021. This increase was due primarily to increases in employee compensation and non-cash stock-based compensation expense.
Net Loss
For the three months ended June 30, 2022, the Company’s net loss attributable to common shares was $14.2 million, or a loss of $0.10 per basic and diluted common share, as compared to a net loss attributable to common shares of $22.7 million, or a loss of $0.23 per basic and diluted common share, for the three months ended June 30, 2021. Net loss attributable to common shares for the three months ended June 30, 2021 included $3.3 million of non-cash expense for the accrual coupon on the Company’s convertible preferred shares, which converted into 22.8 million common shares in October 2021.
Outstanding Shares
As of June 30, 2022, the Company had approximately 148.8 million common shares issued and outstanding, as well as approximately 15.9 million stock options outstanding. Roivant Sciences Ltd. owned approximately 26% of the Company’s outstanding common shares as of June 30, 2022.
COVID-19 Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in and will likely continue to result in significant disruptions to businesses. Measures implemented around the world in attempts to slow the spread of COVID-19 have had, and will likely continue to have, a major impact on clinical development, at least in the near-term, including shortages and delays in the supply chain and prohibitions in certain countries on enrolling subjects and patients in new clinical trials. While the Company has been able to progress with its clinical and pre-clinical activities to date, it is not possible to predict if the COVID-19 pandemic will materially impact the Company’s plans and timelines in the future.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF LOSS
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | 2022 |
2021 |
||||||||||||||
| Revenue | |||||||||||||||||
| Collaborations and licenses | $ | 12,556 | $ | 1,185 | $ | 23,774 | $ | 2,339 | |||||||||
| Non-cash royalty revenue | 1,685 | 1,144 | 3,048 | 2,103 | |||||||||||||
| Total Revenue | 14,241 | 2,329 | 26,822 | 4,442 | |||||||||||||
| Operating expenses | |||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 22,942 | 15,799 | 41,404 | 29,581 | |||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 5,200 | 4,478 | 10,092 | 8,356 | |||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of contingent consideration | 208 | 694 | 409 | 823 | |||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 28,350 | 20,971 | 51,905 | 38,760 | |||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (14,109 | ) | (18,642 | ) | (25,083 | ) | (34,318 | ) | |||||||||
| Other income (loss) | |||||||||||||||||
| Interest income | 396 | 31 | 555 | 70 | |||||||||||||
| Interest expense | (482 | ) | (763 | ) | (988 | ) | (1,535 | ) | |||||||||
| Foreign exchange (losses) gains | 3 | (13 | ) | 3 | 15 | ||||||||||||
| Total other loss | (83 | ) | (745 | ) | (430 | ) | (1,450 | ) | |||||||||
| Net loss before income tax expense | (14,192 | ) | (19,387 | ) | (25,513 | ) | (35,768 | ) | |||||||||
| Income tax expense | – | – | (4,444 | ) | – | ||||||||||||
| Net loss | (14,192 | ) | (19,387 | ) | (29,957 | ) | (35,768 | ) | |||||||||
| Dividend accretion of convertible preferred shares | – | (3,266 | ) | – | (6,478 | ) | |||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common shares | $ | (14,192 | ) | $ | (22,653 | ) | $ | (29,957 | ) | $ | (42,246 | ) | |||||
| Loss per share | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | $ | (0.10 | ) | $ | (0.23 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | (0.44 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average number of common shares | |||||||||||||||||
| Basic and diluted | 148,750,048 | 96,869,805 | 148,589,711 | 95,153,545 | |||||||||||||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)
| June 30, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | ||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, current | $ | 150,199 | $ | 155,317 | |||
| Accounts receivable and other current assets | 7,592 | 5,344 | |||||
| Total current assets | 157,791 | 160,661 | |||||
| Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation | 5,493 | 5,983 | |||||
| Investments in marketable securities, non-current | 50,450 | 35,688 | |||||
| Right of use asset | 1,922 | 2,092 | |||||
| Other non-current assets | 180 | 61 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 215,836 | $ | 204,485 | |||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 12,474 | $ | 10,838 | |||
| Deferred revenue | 16,973 | – | |||||
| Lease liability, current | 377 | 383 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 29,824 | 11,221 | |||||
| Liability related to sale of future royalties | 14,233 | 16,296 | |||||
| Deferred revenue, non-current | 10,842 | – | |||||
| Contingent consideration | 5,707 | 5,298 | |||||
| Lease liability, non-current | 2,088 | 2,231 | |||||
| Total stockholders’ equity | 153,142 | 169,439 | |||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 215,836 | $ | 204,485 | |||
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW
(in thousands)
| Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||
| 2022 | 2021 | ||||||
| Net loss | $ | (29,957 | ) | $ | (35,768 | ) | |
| Non-cash items | 3,154 | 5,005 | |||||
| Change in deferred license revenue | 27,815 | – | |||||
| Other changes in working capital | (686 | ) | (1,127 | ) | |||
| Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | 326 | (31,890 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (73,886 | ) | (20,526 | ) | |||
| Issuance of common shares pursuant to Share Purchase Agreement | 10,973 | – | |||||
| Cash provided by other financing activities | 625 | 31,163 | |||||
| Net cash provided by financing activities | 11,598 | 31,163 | |||||
| Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | – | (44 | ) | ||||
| Decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (61,962 | ) | (21,297 | ) | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 109,282 | 52,251 | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 47,320 | 30,954 | |||||
| Investments in marketable securities | 153,329 | 90,331 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, end of period | $ | 200,649 | $ | 121,285 | |||
About AB-729
AB-729 is an RNA interference (RNAi) therapeutic specifically designed to reduce all HBV viral proteins and antigens, including hepatitis B surface antigen, which is thought to be a key prerequisite to enable reawakening of a patient’s immune system to respond to the virus. AB-729 targets hepatocytes using Arbutus’ novel covalently conjugated N-Acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) delivery technology that enables subcutaneous delivery. Clinical data generated thus far has shown single- and multi-doses of AB-729 to be generally safe and well-tolerated while providing meaningful reductions in hepatitis B surface antigen and hepatitis B DNA. AB-729 is currently in multiple Phase 2a clinical trials.
About AB-836
AB-836 is a next generation oral hepatitis B virus (HBV) capsid inhibitor that interacts with HBV core protein, which in turn is required for viral replication. The current standard-of-care therapy for HBV is primarily nucleos(t)ide analogues that inhibit the viral polymerase and significantly reduce, but do not eliminate viral replication. AB-836 in combination with nucleos(t)ide analogues is designed to completely eliminate viral replication in infected cells by preventing the assembly of functional viral capsids. In addition, AB-836 has been shown to inhibit the replenishment of covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), the viral genetic reservoir which the virus needs to replicate itself.
About AB-101
Immune checkpoints such as PD-1/PD-L1 play an important role in the induction and maintenance of immune tolerance and in T-cell activation. We have identified a class of small molecule oral PD-L1 inhibitors that we believe will allow for controlled checkpoint blockade, enable oral dosing, and mitigate systemic safety issues typically seen with checkpoint antibody therapies. Our lead oral PD-L1 inhibitor candidate, AB-101, is currently in IND-enabling studies. We believe AB-101 has the potential to be used in combination with other approved and investigational agents for our mission to achieve a functional cure for HBV chronically infected patients. We are also exploring oncology applications for our internal PD-L1 portfolio.
About HBV
Hepatitis B is a potentially life-threatening liver infection caused by the hepatitis B virus (HBV). HBV can cause chronic infection which leads to a higher risk of death from cirrhosis and liver cancer. Chronic HBV infection represents a significant unmet medical need. The World Health Organization estimates that over 290 million people worldwide suffer from chronic HBV infection, while other estimates indicate that approximately 2.4 million people in the United States suffer from chronic HBV infection. Approximately 820,000 people die every year from complications related to chronic HBV infection despite the availability of effective vaccines and current treatment options.
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company leveraging its extensive virology expertise to develop novel therapeutics that target specific viral diseases. Our current focus areas include Hepatitis B virus (HBV), SARS-CoV-2, and other coronaviruses. In HBV, we are developing a RNAi therapeutic, an oral capsid inhibitor, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor, and an oral RNA destabilizer to potentially identify a combination regimen with the aim of providing a functional cure for patients with chronic HBV by suppressing viral replication, reducing surface antigen and reawakening the immune system. We believe our lead compound, AB-729, is the only RNAi therapeutic with evidence of immune re-awakening. It is currently being evaluated in multiple phase 2 clinical trials. We also have an ongoing drug discovery and development program directed to identifying novel, orally active agents for treating coronavirus (including SARS-CoV-2). In addition, we are exploring oncology applications for our internal PD-L1 portfolio. For more information, visit www.arbutusbio.com.
