Daily Newsletter

22 June 2023

Daily Newsletter

22 June 2023

Arbutus touts the Phase II success of its RNAi treatment for Hepatitis B

The company announces data from the Phase IIa trial of its RNAi therapy in combination with IFN for hepatitis B.

Phalguni Deswal June 21 2023

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation has presented preliminary data from an ongoing Phase IIa trial of RNA interference (RNAi) therapy (AB-729), nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA), and pegylated interferon alfa-2a (IFN) in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (cHBV) at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2023.

The data from the randomised, open-label, multicentre Phase II trial (NCT04980482) showed a reduction in hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). However, no patient showed sustained loss of circulating HBsAg, which is associated with improved clinical outcomes.

A total of 43 patients were administered - AB-729 every eight weeks, along with 24 weeks of NA. This was followed by NA and IFN for 12 or 24 weeks in all patients, with the addition of AB-749 in half of the patients.

Of the 41 patients, 38 had HBsAg levels of less than 100IU/ml, indicating a decreased risk of disease deterioration.

The AB-729 monotherapy and combination therapy were well tolerated, although IFN doses were modified in five patients.

Two Phase II trials (NCT04847440 and NCT04820686) for AB-729 combination therapy in patients with cHBV have been terminated thus far.

According to GlobalData analysis, the current HBV market is dominated by NA for the long-term treatment of cHBV, with Gilead Science’s Vemlidy (tenofovir alafenamide) being the current market leader. RNAi therapies make up only a small portion of the HBV pipeline, with existing and future players focusing on small molecules (such as NA).

GlobalData is the parent company of Clinical Trials Arena.

Uncover your next opportunity with expert reports

Steer your business strategy with key data and insights from our latest market research reports and company profiles. Not ready to buy? Start small by downloading a sample report first.

Newsletters by sectors

close

Sign up to the newsletter: In Brief

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

close