Arbutus Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
Q1 total revenue of $179.1M includes estimated license revenue from Genevant related to litigation settlement with Moderna
Q1 total revenue of $179.1M includes estimated license revenue from Genevant related to litigation settlement with Moderna
Fast Track designation has the potential to facilitate development and accelerate FDA review of imdusiran WARMINSTER, Pa., April 15, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS) (“Arbutus” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious disease, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) has granted Fast Track designation for imdusiran for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (“cHBV”).
Strong financial position with cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $91.5M as of December 2025
The company will appeal to a federal circuit court to argue that it has limited liability due to its status as a government contractor.
Moderna to pay $950 million with no future royalties to resolve all global litigation; corresponding charge expected in Q1 2026 District Court's Section 1498 decision to be appealed to the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals with potential additional payment contingent on the outcome; no accrual recorded for potential additional payment as loss is not considered probable 2026 year-end cash and cash equivalents now expected to be in the range of $4.5 - $5.0 billion CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 3, 2026 / Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) today announced that it has entered into a settlement agreement with Arbutus Biopharma Corporation and Genevant Sciences GmbH resolving all litigation worldwide, including between the parties in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware. The settlement resolves all worldwide Arbutus/Genevant litigation related to Spikevax® and mRESVIA® and provides certainty going forward for Moderna's full infectious disease portfolio, including mNEXSPIKE®, mCOMBRIAX® and its future vaccine pipeline, with no future royalties owed.
Moderna to pay Genevant and Arbutus $950 million upfront and an additional $1.3 billion contingent upon a favorable resolution of Moderna's Section 1498 appeal If the $1.3 billion payment is realized, this settlement will be the largest disclosed patent settlement paid in the pharmaceutical industry and the second largest in any industry Settlement holds Moderna accountable for infringement and provides for the court to enter judgment of no invalidity on the four Genevant/Arbutus patents asserted in the case Genevant grants Moderna a global non-exclusive license to its LNP delivery technology for SM-102-containing mRNA vaccines for infectious disease and a covenant not to sue for certain Genevant/Arbutus patents and Moderna products, ending all patent-infringement litigation against Moderna arising from its unauthorized use of the technology in its COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech litigation is ongoing in the United States following a favorable Markman ruling issued in September 2025; Comirnaty sales represent ~2/3 of global COVID-mRNA vaccine sales to date Roivant's board of directors has approved a $1 billion share repurchase program, inclusive of the $500 million authorization that was approved in June 2025 Roivant will host an investor call to discuss these updates today, March 3, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. ET BASEL, Switzerland and LONDON and NEW YORK, March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roivant (Nasdaq: ROIV) today announced that Genevant Sciences, a leading nucleic acid delivery company with world-class platforms and a robust lipid nanoparticle (LNP) patent portfolio and a subsidiary of Roivant, and Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (Nasdaq: ABUS), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious disease, have entered into a $2.25 billion global settlement with Moderna, Inc. to resolve all U.S. and international enforcement actions involving Moderna's unauthorized use of Genevant's and Arbutus' LNP delivery technology in its COVID-19 vaccines, including Spikevax ®.
Moderna to pay Genevant and Arbutus $950 million upfront and an additional $1.3 billion contingent upon a favorable resolution of Moderna's Section 1498 appeal If the $1.3 billion payment is realized, this settlement will be the largest disclosed patent settlement paid in the pharmaceutical industry and the second largest in any industry Settlement holds Moderna accountable for infringement and provides for the court to enter judgment of no invalidity on the four Genevant/Arbutus patents asserted in the case Genevant grants Moderna a global non-exclusive license to its LNP delivery technology for SM-102-containing mRNA vaccines for infectious disease and a covenant not to sue for certain Genevant/Arbutus patents and Moderna products, ending all patent-infringement litigation against Moderna arising from its unauthorized use of the technology in its COVID-19 vaccines Pfizer/BioNTech litigation is ongoing in the United States following a favorable Markman ruling issued in September 2025; Comirnaty sales represent ~2/3 of global COVID-mRNA vaccine sales to date Arbutus announces that it is currently evaluating a return of capital to shareholders for the third quarter of calendar year 2026, in conjunction with the upfront payment Roivant will host an investor call to discuss these updates today, March 3, 2026, at 4:45 p.m. ET BASEL, Switzerland and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genevant Sciences, a leading nucleic acid delivery company with world-class platforms and a robust lipid nanoparticle (LNP) patent portfolio and a subsidiary of Roivant Sciences Ltd.
Arbutus Biotech faces a pivotal March jury trial against Moderna over LNP patent infringement, creating significant legal optionality. ABUS's valuation is driven by its hepatitis B pipeline, especially imdusiran, with clinical milestones outweighing speculative legal outcomes. Recent financials show a narrowed net loss and 1.5-year cash runway, reflecting cost reductions and focused R&D.