Vir Biotechnology: Strong Financial Health and Promising Clinical Progress Justify Buy Rating

Needham analyst Joseph Stringer maintained a Buy rating on Vir Biotechnology (VIR – Research Report) today and set a price target of $19.00.

Joseph Stringer has given his Buy rating due to a combination of factors related to Vir Biotechnology’s ongoing projects and financial health. The company is making significant progress in its Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) program, with one of the three planned Phase 3 trials already initiated. Additionally, Vir Biotechnology is set to present promising 24-week off-treatment data from its Phase 2 MARCH trial at an upcoming EASL meeting, which could indicate a functional cure for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV).
Moreover, the company is advancing its oncology T-cell engager programs, VIR-5518 and VIR-5500, with ongoing dose escalation and potential data updates on the horizon. Financially, Vir Biotechnology reported a strong cash balance of $1.0 billion for the first quarter of 2025, which is expected to support its operations and development activities. These factors collectively contribute to the positive outlook and justify the Buy rating.

Stringer covers the Healthcare sector, focusing on stocks such as Alnylam Pharma, Rhythm Pharmaceuticals, and Phathom Pharmaceuticals. According to TipRanks, Stringer has an average return of -3.6% and a 36.97% success rate on recommended stocks.

In another report released today, Barclays also maintained a Buy rating on the stock with a $31.00 price target.