Archives
Arbutus’ LNP Technology Further Validated with New Results
Arbutus to Receive Single Digit Royalties on Sales of Patisiran
VANCOUVER, British Columbia and WARMINSTER, Pa., Sept. 20, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq:ABUS), an industry-leading hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapeutic solutions company, announced today that the Company’s lipid nanoparticle (LNP) licensee Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq:ALNY), announced that the APOLLO Phase 3 study of patisiran, an investigational RNAi therapeutic being developed for patients with hereditary ATTR amyloidosis with polyneuropathy, met its primary efficacy endpoint and all secondary endpoints. Patisiran is enabled by Arbutus’ lipid nanoparticle (LNP) technology. The program represents the most clinically advanced application of Arbutus proprietary LNP delivery technology. Per the terms of the LNP license agreement for patisiran, Arbutus will be owed single digit royalties on sales of patisiran. Alnylam stated that it intends to file a New Drug Application (NDA) in late 2017 and a Marketing Authorisation Application (MAA) in early 2018.
Dr. Mark J. Murray, Arbutus’ President and CEO, said, “We are very pleased by the successful outcome of Alnylam’s APOLLO Phase 3 study of patisiran. This is an important achievement for patients and for the field of RNAi therapeutics. These data provide further validation of the utility of our leading LNP technology. Our LNP technology represents the most proven delivery technology for the systemic delivery of nucleic acid-based therapeutics.”
With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, Arbutus has made numerous assumptions regarding, among other things: the continued demand for Arbutus’ assets, including its LNP technology; continued positive preclinical and clinical efficacy data; and the stability of economic and market conditions. While Arbutus considers these assumptions to be reasonable, these assumptions are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, market and social uncertainties and contingencies.
Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors which could cause Arbutus’ actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Known risk factors include, among others: patisiran may not generate significant royalties for Arbutus, or at all; Alnylam may not file the applications on a timely basis, or at all; demand for Arbutus’ assets may lower; Arbutus’ LNP technology may not continue to produce positive preclinical and clinical efficacy data; economic and market conditions may worsen; and market shifts may require a change in strategic focus.
A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing Arbutus appears in Arbutus’ Annual Report on Form 10-K and Arbutus’ continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedar.com and at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements herein are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and Arbutus disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statements or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
Contact Information
Investors
Adam Cutler
Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs
Phone: 604-419-3200
Email: acutler@arbutusbio.com
Tiffany Tolmie
Manager, Investor Relations
Phone: 604-419-3200
Email: ttolmie@arbutusbio.com
Media
David Schull
Russo Partners
Phone: 858-717-2310
Email: david.schull@russopartnersllc.com