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Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS)
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Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) AI Stock Analysis

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ABUS

Arbutus Biopharma

(NASDAQ:ABUS)

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Neutral 51 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:51Neutral
Price Target:
$3.50
▼(-21.88% Downside)
The overall stock score reflects significant financial challenges, with persistent losses and negative cash flows weighing heavily. Positive technical indicators provide some optimism, but valuation remains a concern due to negative earnings. The absence of earnings call insights or corporate events further limits the score.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Strong revenue growth indicates successful product development and market acceptance, which can enhance long-term financial stability and investment in R&D.
Product Development
Acceptance of clinical data for presentation highlights ongoing innovation and potential efficacy of new treatments, supporting future market opportunities.
Strategic Partnerships
Strategic partnerships provide funding for R&D and facilitate product development, enhancing the company's ability to bring new therapies to market.
Negative Factors
Profitability Challenges
Ongoing profitability issues can limit reinvestment in growth and innovation, potentially hindering long-term competitive positioning and financial health.
Negative Cash Flows
Negative cash flows indicate operational inefficiencies and may constrain the company's ability to fund new projects or respond to market changes.
Operational Challenges
Declining gross profit margins suggest potential issues in cost management or pricing strategy, which could affect long-term profitability and competitiveness.

Arbutus Biopharma (ABUS) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Arbutus Biopharma Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionArbutus Biopharma Corporation (ABUS) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing innovative therapies for patients with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and other viral diseases. The company specializes in discovering and commercializing novel drug candidates that target the underlying biology of HBV to improve patient outcomes. Arbutus's core products include a range of antiviral therapies, particularly those that aim to eliminate HBV or significantly reduce viral load in patients.
How the Company Makes MoneyArbutus Biopharma generates revenue primarily through the development and commercialization of its therapeutic products. The company engages in strategic partnerships and collaborations with other pharmaceutical companies, which may include upfront payments, milestone payments, and royalties on future sales of products developed in collaboration. These partnerships often provide substantial funding for research and development, allowing Arbutus to focus on advancing its clinical trials. Additionally, if any of Arbutus's products receive regulatory approval and are brought to market, the company stands to earn significant revenue from product sales. The company may also explore licensing opportunities for its technologies, further diversifying its revenue streams.

Arbutus Biopharma Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2024)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 26, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive outlook with strong financial positioning and promising clinical trial data for HBV treatments. However, ongoing legal challenges and high operational cash burn present concerns.
Q3-2024 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Financial Position
Arbutus ended Q3 2024 with $131 million in cash, sufficient to fund operations into Q4 2026. A $44 million net proceeds from common shares issuance offset $54.5 million in operational cash usage.
Promising Clinical Data for Hepatitis B Treatment
Imdusiran showed promising results in reducing surface antigen levels in HBV patients. In Cohort A1 of the IM-PROVE I trial, 33% of patients achieved surface antigen loss sustained at 24 weeks post-treatment, with 67% of those with baseline less than 1,000 IU/mL maintaining loss.
Upcoming Data Presentations
Upcoming presentations at the Liver Meeting 2024 and AASLD will showcase additional data from ongoing HBV trials, indicating continued progress and interest in Arbutus' research.
Negative Updates
Limited Advancement in Legal Proceedings
Litigation with Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech over LNP intellectual property is ongoing, with trial dates set for late 2024 and 2025, indicating prolonged legal battles.
High Cash Burn Rate
The company reported a high cash burn of $54.5 million in operations for the first half of 2024, which may necessitate further financing activities to sustain long-term operations.
Company Guidance
In the third quarter 2024 earnings call for Arbutus Biopharma, the company provided several key metrics and updates on their ongoing efforts to develop a functional cure for chronic hepatitis B (HBV). They reported having approximately $131 million in cash and investments, with a projected cash burn for 2024 between $63 million and $67 million, ensuring their financial runway extends into the fourth quarter of 2026. The company is advancing their RNAi therapeutic imdusiran through Phase IIa trials, IM-PROVE I and II, which have shown promising results, such as a 33% surface antigen loss in Cohort A1 and 67% in patients with baseline antigen levels below 1,000 IU/mL. Moreover, they are progressing with their AB-101 clinical trial, with evidence of dose-dependent receptor occupancy in Phase Ia/Ib, and anticipate reporting preliminary HBV patient data in the first half of next year. The litigation with Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech is ongoing, with a trial date set for September 2025 and a Markman hearing on December 18, 2024.

Arbutus Biopharma Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Arbutus Biopharma faces significant financial challenges, with persistent losses and negative cash flows. Despite a notable revenue growth rate, profitability issues and negative cash flows are concerning. The balance sheet remains stable with low leverage, providing some resilience.
Income Statement
35
Negative
Arbutus Biopharma's income statement reveals significant challenges. Despite a notable revenue growth rate of 140.76% in the TTM, the company struggles with profitability, as evidenced by negative net profit margins and EBIT margins. The gross profit margin has also declined compared to previous periods, indicating potential issues in cost management or pricing strategy.
Balance Sheet
45
Neutral
The balance sheet shows a relatively low debt-to-equity ratio, suggesting conservative leverage. However, the return on equity is negative, reflecting ongoing losses and inefficiencies in generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio remains stable, indicating a solid capital structure despite operational challenges.
Cash Flow
40
Negative
Cash flow analysis highlights a concerning trend with negative operating and free cash flows, although there is a slight improvement in free cash flow growth. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, indicating cash flow issues relative to reported earnings. The free cash flow to net income ratio is slightly above 1, suggesting cash flow is aligned with net income despite being negative.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue15.42M6.17M18.14M39.02M10.99M6.91M
Gross Profit6.11M4.79M-55.56M37.59M9.23M-40.57M
EBITDA-53.12M-68.40M-70.99M-61.86M-71.64M-57.81M
Net Income-54.25M-69.92M-72.85M-69.46M-77.35M-65.21M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets103.27M131.71M144.40M195.42M204.49M137.08M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments98.09M122.62M126.00M146.91M155.32M123.27M
Total Debt5.00M1.29M8.72M2.19M2.61M2.98M
Total Liabilities20.29M34.34M38.38M58.57M35.05M35.11M
Stockholders Equity82.98M97.37M106.02M136.85M169.44M101.97M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-60.28M-65.03M-86.94M-35.87M-68.34M-51.67M
Operating Cash Flow-60.19M-64.85M-85.94M-35.36M-67.53M-51.44M
Investing Cash Flow28.39M22.95M50.77M-74.94M-12.68M-14.91M
Financing Cash Flow6.43M52.00M30.65M31.81M137.24M86.75M

Arbutus Biopharma Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price4.48
Price Trends
50DMA
4.36
Positive
100DMA
3.84
Positive
200DMA
3.59
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.09
Negative
RSI
55.39
Neutral
STOCH
44.28
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For ABUS, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 4.48 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 4.47, above the 50-day MA of 4.36, and above the 200-day MA of 3.59, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.09 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 55.39 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 44.28 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for ABUS.

Arbutus Biopharma Risk Analysis

Arbutus Biopharma disclosed 39 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Arbutus Biopharma reported the most risks in the "Tech & Innovation" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Arbutus Biopharma Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (51)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
58
Neutral
$4.15B-60.98%338.45%-19.64%
55
Neutral
$1.34B-81.20%16.74%59.89%
51
Neutral
$7.86B-0.30-43.30%2.27%22.53%-2.21%
51
Neutral
$862.64M-52.82%53.23%35.32%
48
Neutral
$1.12B-17.34%83.36%22.27%
46
Neutral
$733.72M-31.09%11877.28%63.14%
33
Underperform
$1.07B-109.12%7.58%
* Healthcare Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
ABUS
Arbutus Biopharma
4.61
0.88
23.59%
GERN
Geron
1.09
-3.20
-74.59%
IMTX
Immatics
8.94
-0.31
-3.35%
IMNM
Immunome
15.35
2.81
22.41%
PRAX
Praxis Precision Medicines
164.64
89.29
118.50%
SANA
Sana Biotechnology
4.08
0.98
31.61%

Arbutus Biopharma Corporate Events

Arbutus Biopharma’s Long-Term Hepatitis B Study: A Potential Game-Changer for Investors
Oct 27, 2025

Arbutus Biopharma is conducting a long-term follow-up study titled ‘A Long-Term Follow-up Study for Subjects With Chronic Hepatitis B Previously Treated With Imdusiran (AB-729).’ The study aims to monitor subjects with chronic hepatitis B who were previously treated with imdusiran, focusing on their health status after stopping nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy. This research is significant as it seeks to understand the long-term effects and safety of discontinuing NA therapy in these patients.

Business Operations and StrategyProduct-Related Announcements
Arbutus Biopharma Showcases Data at Liver Meeting 2025
Positive
Oct 7, 2025

On October 7, 2025, Arbutus Biopharma announced that four abstracts featuring data on their products imdusiran and AB-101 were accepted for presentation at the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases – The Liver Meeting 2025. The AB-101 abstract was notably selected as a Poster of Distinction. These presentations highlight the safety and potential efficacy of imdusiran in enhancing treatment responses in chronic hepatitis B patients and the promising pharmacodynamics of AB-101, which may strengthen Arbutus’s position in the biopharmaceutical industry focused on infectious diseases.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABUS) stock is a Hold with a $3.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Arbutus Biopharma stock, see the ABUS Stock Forecast page.

Legal Proceedings
Arbutus Biopharma’s Patent Ruling in Pfizer Lawsuit
Negative
Sep 10, 2025

On September 9, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey issued a claim construction ruling in a lawsuit filed by Arbutus Biopharma and its licensee Genevant Sciences against Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE. The lawsuit alleges that Pfizer/BioNTech’s COVID-19 mRNA-based vaccines infringe on several of Arbutus’s patents related to lipid nanoparticle technology. The court’s decision on the construction of disputed patent terms could significantly impact the ongoing litigation and the companies involved, as it addresses key elements of the technology used in the COVID-19 vaccines.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABUS) stock is a Hold with a $3.50 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Arbutus Biopharma stock, see the ABUS Stock Forecast page.

Arbutus Biopharma Reports Strong Revenue Growth in Q2 2025
Aug 15, 2025

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing treatments for infectious diseases, particularly chronic hepatitis B, using its proprietary RNA interference and PD-L1 inhibitor technologies. In its latest earnings report for the quarter ending June 30, 2025, Arbutus Biopharma highlighted a significant increase in revenue, driven primarily by collaborations and licenses, with total revenue reaching $10.7 million compared to $1.7 million in the same quarter last year. Key financial metrics revealed a net income of $2.5 million, a notable improvement from a net loss of $19.8 million in the previous year, attributed to reduced operating expenses and increased collaboration revenue. The company also reported a restructuring charge related to workforce reduction and the closure of its headquarters, which contributed to a decrease in operating expenses. Looking ahead, Arbutus Biopharma remains focused on advancing its clinical programs and defending its intellectual property, with management expressing confidence in its cash resources to support operations for the next 12 months.

Executive/Board ChangesFinancial DisclosuresLegal Proceedings
Arbutus Biopharma Appoints New Board Member Amid Strong Q2
Positive
Aug 6, 2025

On August 4, 2025, Anuj Hasija resigned from Arbutus Biopharma‘s Board of Directors, with Dr. Roger Sawhney appointed as his replacement. Dr. Sawhney will also join the Audit and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees. Arbutus reported strong financial results for the second quarter of 2025, with a significant increase in revenue due to the reacquisition of Greater China rights to imdusiran. The company is actively involved in ongoing patent infringement litigations against Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech, seeking compensation for the use of its LNP technology.

The most recent analyst rating on (ABUS) stock is a Hold with a $4.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Arbutus Biopharma stock, see the ABUS Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Oct 31, 2025