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Arbutus Biopharma Secures $950M Settlement with Moderna

Arbutus Biopharma said cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities totaled $91.5 million at December 2025, as the company reported fourth-quarter and full-year results and highlighted a series of legal and clinical developments.

The biggest financial event in the period was the settlement with Moderna over lipid nanoparticle delivery technology. Under the agreement, Moderna will pay Arbutus and Genevant $950 million upfront in July 2026, plus an additional $1.3 billion if an appellate ruling goes against Moderna on its Section 1498 defense. Moderna also agreed to entry of judgment of infringement and no invalidity for four Arbutus/Genevant patents.

On the clinical side, Arbutus said two additional patients in its phase 2a imdusiran trials achieved functional cure in chronic hepatitis B, bringing another measurable milestone for its HBV program. The company also received a milestone payment under its Alnylam LNP license tied to a product candidate for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The press release did not provide prior-period cash balances, revenue, or expense figures in the excerpt provided, so the clearest period-over-period changes disclosed were the new settlement proceeds, the added functional cure patients, and the milestone payment. Following these announcements, the company's shares moved -13.62%, and are now trading at a price of $4.06. If you want to know more, read the company's complete 8-K report here.

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