Vir Biotechnology, Inc. Presents New Data Evaluating the Potential for VIR-2218 and VIR-3434 as Therapies for Chronic Hepatitis B and Hepatitis D
June 24, 2023 at 05:30 am EDT
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Vir Biotechnology, Inc. announced new data from its robust hepatitis B and D virus (HBV and HDV) portfolio that were presented at the EASLâ„¢ (European Association for the Study of the Liver) Congress. Data presented in a late-breaker oral presentation from a Phase 2 clinical trial demonstrated that when VIR-2218, an investigational small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA), was given for 24 or 48 weeks on top of a course of up to 48 weeks of pegylated interferon alpha (PEG-IFN-) (cohorts 4 and 5 combined), 16% (5/31) achieved sustained HBsAg loss 24 weeks following the end of treatment. In a poster presentation, new pharmacokinetics (PK) data support the safety, tolerability and antiviral activity of a 300 mg dose of VIR-3434, an investigational monoclonal antibody, which is being evaluated for the treatment of chronic HBV and HDV infection across multiple ongoing clinical trials.
In addition, preclinical data presented in a separate poster showed evidence of antiviral efficacy of VIR-2218 and VIR-3434 against HDV infection by demonstrating reduced levels of HBsAg, HDV and HBV viremia in vivo with the parental molecule of VIR-3434 as well as reduced HBV antigens and secreted infectious HDV virions in vitro with both single and combination therapies of VIR-2218, VIR-3434. Phase 2 follow-up data from an open-label, clinical trial (NCT04412863) evaluating VIR-2218 with or without PEG-IFN- in virally-suppressed participants with chronic HBV demonstrated: In participants receiving VIR-2218 for 24 or 48 weeks plus up to 48 weeks of PEG-IFN- (cohort 4 and 5 combined), 26% (8/31) achieved HBsAg loss at the end of treatment and 16% (5/31). VIR-2218 is the first asset in the Company's collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to enter clinical trials.
Vir Biotechnology, Inc. is an immunology company, which is focused on combining cutting-edge technologies to treat and prevent serious infectious diseases and other serious conditions. The Company's clinical development pipeline consists of product candidates targeting hepatitis delta virus (HDV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It also has several preclinical candidates in its pipeline including those targeting influenza A and B, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus (RSV and MPV), and human papillomavirus (HPV). The Company's pipeline includes VIR-1949, VIR-7229, VIR-2981, VIR-8190, and HIV Cure. It also engaged in developing tobevibart, a monoclonal antibody also known as VIR-3434, and Elebsiran, an siRNA also known as VIR-2218, for the treatment and suppression of chronic HDV. Its Elebsiran is an investigational HBV-targeted siRNA that reduces HBsAg, a protein which is required for the HDV viral life cycle.
VIR BIOTECHNOLOGY, INC. 
