Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Patent Revocation Leads to 14% Pre-Market Drop
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3d ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Patent Revocation Impact: Arbutus Biopharma's patent was revoked by the European Patent Office, leading to a ~14% drop in pre-market stock price on Friday, which directly affects its legal disputes with Moderna and Genevant Sciences.
- Moderna Stock Reaction: In contrast, Moderna's stock rose by ~4%, indicating a positive market reaction to the patent revocation, potentially alleviating its legal risks in Switzerland and the Unified Patent Court.
- Legal Proceedings Outlook: Arbutus stated that the ruling will impact its cases against the COVID-19 vaccine maker alongside its partner Genevant Sciences, with plans to file a petition for review in the coming months, demonstrating the company's commitment to its legal battles.
- Market Reaction Analysis: This patent revocation not only affects Arbutus's stock performance but may also have far-reaching implications for its future revenues and competitive position, especially in the context of competing against larger pharmaceutical companies.
Analyst Views on ABUS
About ABUS
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious disease. The Company is developing imdusiran (AB-729), its proprietary, conjugated GalNAc, subcutaneously delivered RNAi therapeutic, and AB-101, its proprietary oral PD-L1 inhibitor, for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (cHBV). Its HBV product pipeline includes Imdusiran and AB-101. Its pipeline includes two product candidates that target various steps in the HBV viral lifecycle and consists of various programs: RNAi therapeutic (imdusiran, AB-729) and Oral PD-L1 Inhibitor (AB-101). RNAi therapeutics utilize a natural pathway within cells to silence genes by eliminating the disease-causing proteins that they code for. PD-L1 inhibitors complement its pipeline of agents and could potentially be a part of a combination therapy for the treatment of HBV by reawakening the immune system.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
