Arbutus Biopharma Corporation has revealed its 2025 corporate objectives and provided a financial update. The company reported cash, cash equivalents, and investments in marketable securities totaling approximately $123 million as of December 31, 2024. It expects to significantly reduce its net cash burn in 2025 compared to 2024, with an anticipated range of $47 to $50 million versus a 2024 net cash burn of approximately $65 million. The company's cash, cash equivalents, investments in marketable securities, and anticipated contractual milestones from Qilu Pharmaceutical are believed to be sufficient to fund its operations through the first quarter of 2028, including fully funding the imdusiran phase 2b clinical trial.
In terms of clinical trials, Arbutus plans to initiate a phase 2b clinical trial combining imdusiran, interferon, and nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy in the first half of 2025, based on the meaningful functional cure rate and immune activation demonstrated in CHBV patients treated with imdusiran, interferon, and nucleos(t)ide analogue therapy. Additionally, the company is evaluating the addition of low-dose nivolumab to increase rates of HbsAg loss in CHBV patients, with data anticipated to be reported in the first half of 2025.
The financial update and the progress in clinical trials indicate a positive trajectory for Arbutus Biopharma Corporation as it continues its mission of developing a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B virus infection. The market has reacted to these announcements by moving the company's shares -3.8% to a price of $3.17. For more information, read the company's full 8-K submission here.
