Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) Rises 4% After FDA Lifts Clinical Hold on Hepatitis B Drug AB-101

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has lifted the clinical hold on Arbutus Biopharma's (ABUS) investigational new drug application for AB-101, an oral PD-L1 inhibitor for chronic hepatitis B virus infection, allowing the company to resume U.S. clinical development. Shares rose 4.19% to $4.35. In a completed Phase 1a/1b study, AB-101 was generally well tolerated, with data showing high receptor occupancy in seven patients with chronic HBV and a decline in hepatitis B surface antigen levels in two patients at the 30 mg dose. Arbutus said it is evaluating next steps for AB-101's continued development. The company is also developing imdusiran (AB-729) for chronic HBV infection.