After demonstrating a high virologic response and ALT normalization in a clinical trial, shares of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIR) are experiencing a significant rise on the US stock charts today. As of the latest check during the current market session, VIR stock had increased by 19.38%, reaching $12.63.
Vir Biotechnology Shared Promising Preliminary Data
Vir Biotechnology (VIR) announced new preliminary data from its Phase 2 SOLSTICE hepatitis delta clinical trial, which evaluates tobevibart, an investigational monoclonal antibody, and elebsiran, an investigational small interfering ribonucleic acid, for the treatment of individuals with chronic hepatitis delta.
The data reveal that treatment with tobevibart, either alone or in combination with elebsiran, was generally well tolerated. Vir Biotechnology conducted an investor conference call to go over these results. Initially accepted as a late-breaker poster, these results will be elaborated in an oral presentation on June 8 at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2024.
Sustained Virologic Response And Minimal Adverse Events
Preliminary data from six participants reported at the 2023 American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) The Liver Meeting demonstrated sustained virologic response. These participants underwent 12 weeks of either tobevibart or elebsiran monotherapy before transitioning to combination therapy.
At the time of analysis, five of the six patients had finished 48 weeks of combination therapy, and one had finished 40 weeks. All six participants are still receiving treatment. There were no significant adverse events, ALT flare-ups, or Grade 2 or higher increases in liver function tests noted; the majority of adverse events were Grade 1-2 and transitory.
Vir Biotechnology Is Filling A Serious Gap
The most severe kind of viral hepatitis, chronic hepatitis delta, affects millions of people worldwide and frequently results in serious side effects such liver cancer and cirrhosis. Although there is a pressing need for easy and efficient medicines, patients still have few alternatives.
The significant reduction in HDV RNA observed in the preliminary SOLSTICE trial data surpasses any previously reported therapy, underscoring the potential of tobevibart and elebsiran in addressing this critical unmet need. Vir Biotechnology is poised to report additional 24-week treatment data for approximately 60 SOLSTICE participants in the fourth quarter of 2024.
