Arbutus Biopharma Presents Preclinical Data at the 2015 International Meeting on Molecular Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses
October 06 2015 - 8:30AM
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq:ABUS), an industry-leading
therapeutic solutions company focused on developing a cure for
chronic hepatitis B virus infection (HBV), today announced three
presentations at the 2015 International Meeting on Molecular
Biology of Hepatitis B Viruses being held on October 4 – 8, 2015,
at Dolce Bad Nauheim, Germany.
"We are excited to present these data supporting our HBV
research and development efforts, in particular, related to
TKM-HBV, our lead HBV RNAi clinical candidate, as well as our novel
cccDNA formation inhibitors," said Dr. Michael J. Sofia, Arbutus's
Chief Scientific Officer. "Our preclinical results validate that
the unique three RNAi trigger design of TKM-HBV leads to reductions
in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and the other viral antigens
but also results in a reduction of cccDNA levels, as well as unique
synergistic effects of our novel cccDNA inhibitors in combination
with nucleot(s)ide analogs."
Presentation Information and Abstract
Summaries:
1. "Profiling the Effects of TKM-HBV on cccDNA in Humanized
Chimeric Mouse Model of HBV"
Summary: Data utilizing quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR)
combined with differential tissue lysis to enable specific
detection of cccDNA showed that four weekly doses of TKM-HBV alone
at 0.3 mg/kg was able to reduce cccDNA levels by 42% when compared
to untreated animals. This confirms the unique three-trigger RNAi
product designed to reduce all viral antigens also results in
reduction of cccDNA levels.
Date and Time: October 6, 2015, from 7.00am – 9.00am (PT) /10.00
am – 12.00pm (ET)
2. "TKM-HBV, a Novel RNA Interference Treatment for Chronic
Hepatitis B, Mediates Global Viral Antigen Reductions through a
Well-Defined Mechanism of Action"
Summary: Through a well-characterized mechanism of action,
TKM-HBV mediated cleavage of viral RNA transcripts leads to global
reduction of all viral antigens from intrahepatic and peripheral
compartments within days after a single treatment. In addition to
creating a permissive environment for immune response activation by
effective suppression of HBsAg, repression of viral proteins such
as HBcAg and HBx may also be beneficial through inhibiting cccDNA
replication, stability or transcriptional activity. This confirms
the unique three-trigger product targets all the HBV mRNA
transcripts and leads to reduction of all viral antigens.
Date and Time: October 7, 2015, from 8.00am – 10.00am (PT)/
11.00am – 1.00pm (PT)
3. "Novel Inhibitors of HBV cccDNA Formation Exhibit Synergistic
Effects with Nucleoside and Nucleotide Analogs"
Summary: Multi-dose combinations of ARB-199 and ARB-596 with
nucs were examined for cccDNA expression and found to 1) have no
antagonistic effects between the two types of compounds, and 2)
result in measurable synergy at suboptimal doses of both nucs and
cccDNA formation inhibitor compounds. These results suggest that
equivalent clinical combinations could potentially result in faster
declines of cccDNA levels than is currently obtainable with 'nuc'
therapeutics.
Date and Time: October 7, 2015, from 8.00am – 10.00am (PT)/
11.00am – 1.00pm (PT)
About TKM-HBV
The goal of TKM-HBV is to facilitate HBsAg loss in patients with
chronic hepatitis B. The continued presence of HBsAg in chronic HBV
is believed to be responsible for disease pathogenesis and
impairing the body's ability to clear the virus. Blocking HBsAg may
lead to a functional cure by promoting immune-mediated clearance
and control of HBV, potentially through HBsAg seroconversion.
TKM-HBV is a novel lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulated RNAi therapy
that uniquely targets three highly conserved regions of the HBV
viral genome. Targeting multiple sites on the HBV genome allows for
potent reduction of multiple viral antigens, knockdown across a
broad range of HBV genotypes, and a decrease in the probability of
developing antiviral resistance. Preclinical studies with TKM-HBV
have shown reductions of HBsAg and other important viral markers
across the most prevalent HBV genotypes, demonstrating that TKM-HBV
has the potential to treat patients with chronic HBV.
About Arbutus
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a biopharmaceutical company
dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing a cure for
patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B infection (HBV). Our
strategy is to target the three pillars necessary to develop a
curative regimen for HBV: suppressing HBV replication within liver
cells, stimulating and reactivating the body's immune system so
that it can mount an effective defense against the virus and,
eliminating the reservoir of viral genomic material known as
covalently closed circular DNA, or cccDNA that is the source of HBV
persistence. Our portfolio of assets includes a broad pipeline of
drug candidates for use in combination to develop a cure for HBV.
To support continuous discovery of potential novel drug candidates
and technologies, Arbutus has a research collaboration agreement
with the Baruch S. Blumberg Institute that provides exclusive
rights to in-license any intellectual property generated through
the relationship. The Baruch S. Blumberg Institute was established
in 2003 by the Hepatitis B Foundation.
Arbutus is headquartered in Vancouver, BC, Canada with offices
in Doylestown, PA, USA. For more information, visit
www.arbutusbio.com.
CONTACT: Investors
Adam Cutler
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Phone: 604.419.3200
Email: acutler@arbutusbio.com
Helia Baradarani
Manager, Investor Relations
Phone: 604.419.3200
Email: hbaradarani@arbutusbio.com
Media
Please direct all media inquiries to: media@arbutusbio.com
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