Strong financial position with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $95.2M as of March 31, 2026
FDA granted Fast Track designation to imdusiran, which has the potential to facilitate development and accelerate FDA review
WARMINSTER, Pa., May 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (NASDAQ:ABUS) ("Arbutus" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious disease, today reported first quarter 2026 financial results and provided a corporate update.
LNP Litigation
On March 3, 2026, Arbutus, along with its exclusive licensee, Genevant Sciences ("Genevant"), entered into a settlement agreement to resolve all global patent infringement litigation and patent revocation proceedings involving Moderna. As part of the settlement, Moderna will pay Arbutus and Genevant $950 million upfront in July 2026 (the "Noncontingent Settlement Payment") and an additional $1.3 billion contingent upon an appellate ruling that 28 U.S.C. §1498 does not bar Arbutus' and Genevant's claims against Moderna for patent infringement, except as to doses characterized by the district court as having gone to U.S. government employees. Under the Company's license with Genevant, the Company expects to receive in July 2026 an estimated $178.7 million of the Noncontingent Settlement Payment, which includes reimbursement of the Company's litigation costs. In addition, the Company owns approximately 16% of the outstanding common equity of Genevant. For more information about the terms and conditions of the settlement with Moderna, including the contingent payment, please refer to Arbutus' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to be filed with the SEC on May 13, 2026 and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 23, 2026.
Corporate Updates
In April 2026, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") granted Fast Track designation for imdusiran for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B. The FDA's Fast Track program is designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of investigational therapies to treat serious conditions with unmet medical need. A drug granted Fast Track designation may be eligible for several benefits, including earlier and more frequent meetings and communications with the FDA and the potential for rolling review of its application. If relevant criteria are met, investigational therapies that receive Fast Track designation may also qualify for Accelerated Approval or Priority Review of a Biologics License Application or New Drug Application.
Financial Results
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and investments in marketable securities of $95.2 million compared to $91.5 million as of December 31, 2025. During the three months ended March 31, 2026, the Company used $8.1 million in operating activities, which included one-time payments related to its restructuring efforts, and received $11.5 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
Revenue
Total revenue was $179.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to $1.8 million for the same period in 2025. The increase of $177.4 million was due to license revenue from Genevant related to the Company's portion of the Noncontingent Settlement Payment.
Operating Expenses
Research and development expenses were $4.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease of $4.8 million was due primarily to cost savings from the Company's decisions to reduce its workforce and discontinue in-house scientific research, as well as lower clinical trial costs as studies neared completion.
General and administrative expenses were $5.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to $5.8 million for the same period in 2025. This increase was due primarily to higher legal fees driven by the settlement with Moderna, partially offset by cost-cutting efforts by the Company, which drove reductions in employee compensation-related expenses.
There were no restructuring costs in the quarter ended March 31, 2026, compared to $12.4 million for the same period in 2025.
Net Income/Loss
For the quarter ended March 31, 2026, the Company's net income was $169.7 million, or income of $0.88 per basic and $0.87 per diluted common share, as compared to a net loss of $24.5 million, or a loss of $0.13 per basic and diluted common share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Outstanding Shares
As of March 31, 2026, the Company had 196.9 million common shares issued and outstanding, as well as 9.7 million stock options and unvested restricted stock units outstanding.
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND LOSS(in thousands, except share and per share data)
Three Months Ended March 31,
2026
2025
Revenue
Collaborations and licenses
$
204
$
1,316
License revenue from Genevant
178,741
—
Non-cash royalty revenue
181
448
Total revenue
179,126
1,764
Operating expenses
Research and development
4,120
8,959
General and administrative
5,889
5,832
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
209
299
Restructuring costs
—
12,373
Total operating expenses
10,218
27,463
Income (loss) from operations
168,908
(25,699
)
Other income
Interest income
