SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR) today provided a corporate update and reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021.

“Vir made strong progress this quarter across our extensive infectious disease portfolio, the most notable of which is that our monoclonal antibody sotrovimab is now available for patients who become ill with COVID-19 and are at high risk for hospitalization,” said George Scangos, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Vir Biotechnology. “In lab experiments, sotrovimab retains efficacy against circulating variants of concern and interest, including the Delta, Delta Plus and Lambda variants. Additionally, its low dose may allow for more convenient intramuscular administration, which is now being tested in two clinical trials. Sotrovimab has been authorized for emergency use and, with our partner GSK, we have established supply agreements with multiple countries around the world. Together, we plan to submit a Biologics License Application to the FDA later this year and, in May of this year, the EMA began a rolling review of data to support a marketing authorization application in Europe.”

Dr. Scangos continued, “Beyond our lead program, we have built a deep and broad hepatitis B portfolio in our quest to develop a functional cure. We recently initiated a Phase 2 combination trial of VIR-2218 with VIR-3434, and another Phase 2 trial evaluating VIR-2218 with Gilead’s investigational TLR-8 agonist and nivolumab is planned to start soon. We also plan to share additional data later this year from our combination trial of VIR-2218 with pegylated interferon alfa and our VIR-3434 monotherapy trial.”

Corporate Update

COVID-19 Updates

Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Updates

Additional data are expected in the second half of 2021.

Additional Pipeline Updates

Publications

 Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results

About Sotrovimab (previously VIR-7831)
Sotrovimab is an investigational SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody. Preclinical data suggest it has the potential to both block viral entry into healthy cells and clear infected cells. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 that is shared with SARS-CoV-1 (the virus that causes SARS), indicating that the epitope is highly conserved, which may make it more difficult for resistance to develop. Sotrovimab, which incorporates Xencor’s Xtend™ technology, also has been designed to achieve high concentration in the lungs to ensure optimal penetration into airway tissues affected by SARS-CoV-2 and to have an extended half-life.

The following is a summary of information for sotrovimab. Healthcare providers in the U.S. should review the Fact Sheets for information on the authorized use of sotrovimab and mandatory requirements of the EUA. Please see the FDA Letter of AuthorizationFact Sheet for Healthcare Providers, and Fact Sheet for Patients, Parents, and Caregivers. For more information on the EMA positive scientific opinion, please review the EU Conditions of Use.

Important Information about Sotrovimab

Sotrovimab has been authorized by the FDA for the emergency use described below. Sotrovimab is not FDA-approved for this use. 

Sotrovimab is authorized only for the duration of the declaration that circumstances exist justifying the authorization of the emergency use of sotrovimab under section 564(b)(1) of the Act, 21 U.S.C. § 360bbb-3(b)(1), unless the authorization is terminated or revoked sooner. 

Authorized Use 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) to permit the emergency use of the unapproved product sotrovimab for the treatment of mild-to-moderate coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in adults and pediatric patients (12 years of age and older weighing at least 40 kg) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death.

Limitations of Authorized Use

Sotrovimab is not authorized for use in patients: 

Benefit of treatment with sotrovimab has not been observed in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies may be associated with worse clinical outcomes when administered to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation.

Important Safety Information for Sotrovimab

Warnings

There are limited clinical data available for sotrovimab. Serious and unexpected adverse events may occur that have not been previously reported with sotrovimab use.

Hypersensitivity Including Anaphylaxis and Infusion-Related Reactions

Serious hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylaxis have been observed with administration of sotrovimab. If signs and symptoms of a clinically significant hypersensitivity reaction or anaphylaxis occur, immediately discontinue administration and initiate appropriate medications and/or supportive care.

Infusion-related reactions, occurring during the infusion and up to 24 hours after the infusion, have been observed with administration of sotrovimab. These reactions may be severe or life threatening.

Signs and symptoms of infusion-related reactions may include: fever, difficulty breathing, reduced oxygen saturation, chills, fatigue, arrhythmia (eg, atrial fibrillation, sinus tachycardia, bradycardia), chest pain or discomfort, weakness, altered mental status, nausea, headache, bronchospasm, hypotension, hypertension, angioedema, throat irritation, rash including urticaria, pruritus, myalgia, vaso-vagal reactions (eg, pre-syncope, syncope), dizziness and diaphoresis.

Consider slowing or stopping the infusion and administer appropriate medications and/or supportive care if an infusion-related reaction occurs.

Hypersensitivity reactions occurring more than 24 hours after the infusion have also been reported with the use of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies under Emergency Use Authorization.

Clinical Worsening After SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibody Administration

Clinical worsening of COVID-19 after administration of SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody treatment has been reported and may include signs or symptoms of fever, hypoxia or increased respiratory difficulty, arrhythmia (eg, atrial fibrillation, tachycardia, bradycardia), fatigue, and altered mental status. Some of these events required hospitalization. It is not known if these events were related to SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody use or were due to progression of COVID-19.

Limitations of Benefit and Potential for Risk in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Benefit of treatment with sotrovimab has not been observed in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibodies may be associated with worse clinical outcomes when administered to hospitalized patients with COVID-19 requiring high flow oxygen or mechanical ventilation. Therefore, sotrovimab is not authorized for use in patients: who are hospitalized due to COVID-19, OR who require oxygen therapy due to COVID-19, OR who require an increase in baseline oxygen flow rate due to COVID-19 in those on chronic oxygen therapy due to underlying non-COVID-19 related comorbidity.

ADVERSE EVENTS

The most common treatment-emergent adverse events observed in the sotrovimab treatment group in COMET-ICE were rash (2%) and diarrhea (1%), all of which were Grade 1 (mild) or Grade 2 (moderate). No other treatment-emergent adverse events were reported at a higher rate with sotrovimab compared to placebo.

USE IN SPECIFIC POPULATIONS

Pregnancy

There are insufficient data to evaluate a drug-associated risk of major birth defects, miscarriage, or adverse maternal or fetal outcome. Sotrovimab should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk for the mother and the fetus.

Lactation

There are no available data on the presence of sotrovimab in human milk, the effects on the breastfed infant, or the effects on milk production. Individuals with COVID-19 who are breastfeeding should follow practices according to clinical guidelines to avoid exposing the infant to COVID-19.

About VIR-7832
VIR-7832 is an investigational dual-action SARS-CoV-2 monoclonal antibody. Preclinical data suggest it has the potential to both block viral entry into healthy cells and an enhanced ability to clear infected cells. The antibody binds to an epitope on SARS-CoV-2 that is shared with SARS-CoV-1 (the virus that causes SARS), indicating that the epitope is highly conserved, which may make it more difficult for resistance to develop. VIR-7832, which incorporates Xencor’s Xtend™ and other Fc technologies, has been designed to achieve high concentration in the lungs to ensure optimal penetration into airway tissues affected by SARS-CoV-2 and to have an extended half-life. Importantly, VIR-7832 also has been engineered to potentially enhance virus-specific T cell function, which could help treat and/or prevent COVID-19 infection.

About VIR-2218
VIR-2218 is an investigational subcutaneously administered HBV-targeting siRNA that has the potential to stimulate an effective immune response and have direct antiviral activity against HBV. It is the first siRNA in the clinic to include Enhanced Stabilization Chemistry Plus (ESC+) technology to enhance stability and minimize off-target activity, which potentially can result in an increased therapeutic index. VIR-2218 is the first asset in the company’s collaboration with Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to enter clinical trials.

About VIR-3434
VIR-3434 is an investigational subcutaneously administered HBV-neutralizing monoclonal antibody designed to block entry of all 10 genotypes of HBV into hepatocytes and reduce the level of virions and subviral particles in the blood. VIR-3434, which has been Fc engineered to potentially function as a T cell vaccine against HBV in infected patients, also incorporates Xencor’s Xtend™ in order to have an extended half-life.

About VIR-1111
VIR-1111 is an investigational subcutaneously administered HIV T cell vaccine based on HCMV that has been designed to elicit abundant T cells that recognize HIV epitopes in a way that differs from prior HIV vaccines.

About VIR-2482
VIR-2482 is an investigational intramuscularly administered influenza A-neutralizing monoclonal antibody. In vitro, it has been shown to cover all major strains of influenza A that have arisen since the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic. VIR-2482 is designed as a universal prophylactic for influenza A. It has the potential to overcome the limitations of current flu vaccines and lead to meaningfully higher levels of protection due to its broad strain coverage and because it does not rely on an individual to create their own protective antibody response. VIR-2482, which incorporates Xencor’s Xtend technology, also has been half-life engineered so that a single dose has the potential to last the entire flu season.

Vir’s Commitment to COVID-19
Vir was founded with the mission of addressing the world’s most serious infectious diseases. In 2020, Vir responded rapidly to the COVID-19 pandemic by leveraging our unique scientific insights and industry-leading antibody platform to explore multiple monoclonal antibodies as potential therapeutic or preventive options for COVID-19. Sotrovimab is the first SARS-CoV-2-targeting antibody Vir advanced into the clinic. It was carefully selected for its demonstrated promise in preclinical research, including an anticipated high barrier to resistance and potential ability to both block the virus from entering healthy cells and clear infected cells. Vir is continuing to pursue novel therapeutic and prophylactic solutions to combat SARS-CoV-2 and future coronavirus pandemics, both independently and in collaboration with its partners.

About Vir Biotechnology
Vir Biotechnology is a clinical-stage immunology company focused on combining immunologic insights with cutting-edge technologies to treat and prevent serious infectious diseases. Vir has assembled four technology platforms that are designed to stimulate and enhance the immune system by exploiting critical observations of natural immune processes. Its current development pipeline consists of product candidates targeting COVID-19, hepatitis B virus, influenza A and human immunodeficiency virus. For more information, please visit www.vir.bio.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “will,” “plan,” “potential,” “aim,” “promising” and similar expressions (as well as other words or expressions referencing future events, conditions or circumstances) are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on Vir’s expectations and assumptions as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the timing of availability of clinical data, program updates and data disclosures related to Vir’s clinical trials, the ability of sotrovimab and VIR-7832 to treat and/or prevent COVID-19, the ability of sotrovimab to maintain activity against circulating variants of concern and interest, the ability of sotrovimab to be administered via an IM route, statements related to regulatory authorizations and approvals, including plans and discussions with the FDA and EMA, the timing and expected number of therapeutic doses that Vir will be able to supply to patients, the potential of Vir’s ongoing trials of VIR-2218 and VIR-3434 (as monotherapies or combination therapies), the ability of VIR-2218, VIR-3434, and a combination of both in treating patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, Vir’s collaboration with Gilead Sciences, Inc. to evaluate VIR-2218 in a combination therapy trial with GS-9688, the ability of VIR-1111 to elicit a T cell immune response to HIV, and potential timelines for advancing influenza therapies, including VIR-2482 and other therapies covered under the expanded agreement with GSK. Many factors may cause differences between current expectations and actual results, including unexpected safety or efficacy data observed during preclinical or clinical studies, challenges in the treatment of hospitalized patients, difficulties in collaborating with other companies or government agencies, challenges in accessing manufacturing capacity, successful development and/or commercialization of alternative product candidates by Vir’s competitors, changes in expected or existing competition, delays in or disruptions to Vir’s business or clinical trials due to the COVID-19 pandemic, geopolitical changes or other external factors, and unexpected litigation or other disputes. Other factors that may cause actual results to differ from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements in this press release are discussed in Vir’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including the section titled “Risk Factors” contained therein. Except as required by law, Vir assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in expectations, even as new information becomes available.

Contacts:
Heather Rowe Armstrong
VP, Investor Relations
harmstrong@vir.bio
+1-415-915-4228

Cara Miller
VP, Corporate Communications
cmiller@vir.bio
+1-415-941-6746

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)

  Three Months Ended June 30,  Six Months Ended June 30, 
  2021  2020  2021  2020 
Revenue:            
Collaboration revenue $5,333  $  $5,333  $ 
Contract revenue  168,653   43,522   169,266   44,009 
Grant revenue  3,082   719   4,453   5,950 
License revenue from a related party     22,747      22,747 
Total revenue  177,068   66,988   179,052   72,706 
Operating expenses:            
Cost of revenue  1,144      1,152    
Research and development  86,126   79,653   220,996   144,632 
Selling, general and administrative  28,781   16,386   54,520   29,035 
Total operating expenses  116,051   96,039   276,668   173,667 
Income (loss) from operations  61,017   (29,051)  (97,616)  (100,961)
Other income (expense):            
Interest income  97   825   261   2,580 
Other income (expense), net  752   (2,895)  (9,494)  (9,964)
Total other income (expense)  849   (2,070)  (9,233)  (7,384)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes  61,866   (31,121)  (106,849)  (108,345)
Provision for income taxes  (53)  (46)  (249)  (62)
Net income (loss) $61,813  $(31,167) $(107,098) $(108,407)
Net income (loss) per share, basic $0.48  $(0.27) $(0.83) $(0.97)
Net income (loss) per share, diluted $0.46  $(0.27) $(0.83) $(0.97)
Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic  130,121,943   114,980,652   128,938,851   111,684,283 
Weighted-average shares outstanding, diluted  133,789,977   114,980,652   128,938,851   111,684,283 
                 

Vir Biotechnology, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)

  June 30,
2021
  December 31,
2020
 
ASSETS      
CURRENT ASSETS:      
Cash and cash equivalents $741,951  $436,575 
Short-term investments  84,107   300,286 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current  7,004   7,993 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets  29,233   27,511 
Total current assets  862,295   772,365 
Intangible assets, net  33,554   33,820 
Goodwill  16,937   16,937 
Property and equipment, net  20,251   17,946 
Operating right-of-use assets  58,972   61,947 
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, noncurrent  7,002   6,919 
Long-term investments  50,680    
Other assets  7,890   8,827 
TOTAL ASSETS $1,057,581  $918,761 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY       
CURRENT LIABILITIES:      
Accounts payable $11,032  $5,077 
Accrued and other liabilities  64,074   76,936 
Deferred revenue, current portion  44,718   6,451 
Contingent consideration, current portion  26,200   10,600 
Total current liabilities  146,024   99,064 
Deferred revenue, noncurrent  55,496   3,815 
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent  68,938   66,556 
Contingent consideration, noncurrent  42,692   25,374 
Deferred tax liability  3,253   3,253 
Other long-term liabilities  3,853   3,847 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  320,256   201,909 
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:      
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020      
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020; 130,479,975 and 127,416,740 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively  13   13 
Additional paid-in capital  1,512,928   1,385,301 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss  (1,334)  (1,278)
Accumulated deficit  (774,282)  (667,184)
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  737,325   716,852 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $1,057,581  $918,761