Assembly Biosciences Reports Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Recent Updates
Rhea-AI Summary
Assembly Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASMB) reported second quarter 2026 results and pipeline updates, highlighting expansion of ABI-6250 into cholestatic liver diseases, including PBC and PSC, with a Phase 2 study expected to start in Q1 2027 and another Phase 2 in chronic HDV targeted by year-end 2026.
The company completed a $115 million gross financing and reported cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $320.4 million at June 30, 2026, with cash runway projected into 2029 including a planned $75 million Gilead extension payment in Q4 2026. Q2 2026 collaboration revenue from Gilead rose to $13.4 million from $9.6 million, R&D expenses declined to $14.9 million from $16.1 million, and net loss narrowed to $3.9 million (–$0.20 per share) from $10.2 million (–$1.33) a year earlier. Gilead selected GS-1179 to advance in the HSV HPI program, with Phase 2 initiation in recurrent genital herpes expected by year-end 2026.
Positive
- Collaboration revenue up to $13.4M in Q2 2026 from $9.6M in 2025
- Net loss narrowed to $3.9M in Q2 2026 from $10.2M year prior
- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $320.4M as of June 30, 2026
- $115M gross financing completed to fund ABI-6250 Phase 2 studies and other programs
- R&D expenses decreased to $14.9M from $16.1M in Q2 year over year
- Cash runway projected into 2029 including $75M Gilead extension fee in Q4 2026
Negative
- Net loss of $3.9M in Q2 2026 and $12.9M for first half 2026
- Ongoing shareholder dilution with common shares outstanding rising to 19.85M from 15.86M since year-end 2025
- Accumulated deficit increased to $844.98M as of June 30, 2026
News Explained
The balance sheet records
Key Figures
Previous Earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 07 | Q1 2026 earnings | Positive | -3.9% | Reported Q1 results with pipeline milestones and projected 2028 runway. |
| Mar 19 | 2025 year-end earnings | Positive | +3.5% | Reported year-end results, Gilead option fee, cash position, and pipeline progress. |
| Nov 10 | Q3 2025 earnings | Positive | +3.3% | Reported Q3 results alongside positive interim clinical data and financing. |
| Aug 06 | Q2 2025 earnings | Positive | +9.2% | Reported Q2 results, improved net loss, and positive pipeline updates. |
| May 08 | Q1 2025 earnings | Positive | +5.0% | Reported Q1 results with collaboration revenue growth and clinical milestones. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Tag-specific earnings events were aligned with positive 24-hour reactions in four of five records, while the May 7, 2026 earnings release diverged.
Key Terms
psc medical
helicase-primase inhibitor medical
pre-exposure prophylaxis medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
– Expanded ABI-6250 clinical development into cholestatic liver diseases, including primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) –
– Completed
– GS-1179 (formerly ABI-1179) selected to advance in HSV HPI program, with Phase 2 initiation expected by year-end 2026 –
– Cash runway projected into 2029, including first
SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Aug. 13, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB), a biotechnology company developing innovative therapeutics targeting serious viral and liver diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026, and recent business updates.
“During the second quarter, we advanced several important strategic priorities, including expanding ABI-6250 into cholestatic liver diseases and strengthening our balance sheet through a successful financing to support the continued advancement of our pipeline," said Jason Okazaki, chief executive officer and president of Assembly Bio. "We were also pleased to receive Gilead’s clinical development plan for the HSV helicase primase inhibitor program, which includes plans for GS-1179 to advance into a Phase 2 clinical trial by the end of 2026. The plan also contemplates evaluation of GS-1179 across broader prevention settings, including in connection with HIV PrEP, further reinforcing the potential opportunity for this program. We expect to make our determination on whether to opt-in to the U.S. cost and profit share soon after we receive the commercial cost estimates from Gilead, which will complete the opt-in package.”
Second Quarter 2026 and Recent Updates
- Announced expansion of ABI-6250 into cholestatic liver diseases, including PBC and PSC, with a Phase 2 study anticipated to initiate in the first quarter of 2027
- Completed
$115 million gross financing expected to extend funding beyond planned ABI-6250 Phase 2 studies in hepatitis delta virus (HDV) and cholestatic liver diseases - Presented topline Phase 1a data for ABI-6250 at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2026 and participated in several scientific and investor conferences during the quarter
- Received the clinical development plan from Gilead Sciences, Inc. (Gilead) for the herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitor (HPI) program. The plan indicates GS-1179 (formerly ABI-1179) has been selected to advance, with a Phase 2 clinical trial in participants with recurrent genital herpes expected to initiate by the end of 2026. The program is also being considered for possible evaluation as part of a combination strategy with HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Assembly Bio’s decision to opt in to the
40% U.S. cost-profit share will be made after receipt and review of Gilead’s commercial cost estimates, which will complete the opt-in package.
Anticipated Milestones and Events
- Following receipt of Gilead’s commercial cost estimates for the complete opt-in package for the HSV HPI program, determine by year-end 2026 whether to exercise Assembly Bio’s option to participate in a
40% U.S. cost-profit share in lieu of receiving U.S. milestones and royalties - Initiate a Phase 2 clinical study evaluating ABI-6250 in participants with chronic HDV by year-end 2026
- Initiate a Phase 2 clinical study evaluating ABI-6250 in participants with cholestatic liver diseases, including PBC and PSC, in the first quarter of 2027
Upcoming Conferences
- American Chemical Society (ACS) Fall 2026: August 23-27, 2026 – Chicago, Illinois
- International HBV Meeting: September 6-10, 2026 – Singapore
- ID Week: October 21-24, 2026 – Washington, D.C.
- American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD): November 5-9, 2026 – Denver, Colorado
GS-1179 and ABI-6250 are investigational product candidates that have not been approved anywhere globally, and their safety and efficacy have not been established. GS-1179 is exclusively licensed to Gilead under the collaboration between Assembly Bio and Gilead, and Gilead has the sole right and responsibility for further clinical development and commercialization of the HSV HPI program.
Second Quarter 2026 Financial Results
- Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities were
$320.4 million as of June 30, 2026, compared to$226.6 million as of March 31, 2026. The company’s cash position, including the first$75 million extension fee due from Gilead in the fourth quarter of 2026 following the third anniversary of the collaboration agreement, is projected to fund operations into 2029. - Revenue from collaborative research with Gilead was
$13.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to$9.6 million for the same period in 2025. The increase reflects the timing of activities performed and progress toward completion of services under the Gilead Collaboration Agreement, and includes a$5.1 million cumulative catch-up adjustment related to updated estimates of future activities under the collaboration. - Research and development expenses were
$14.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to$16.1 million for the same period in 2025. The decrease was primarily driven by lower external program expenses due to the completion of clinical trials, partially offset by increased research and discovery activities and higher employee-related expenses. - General and administrative expenses were
$4.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to$4.6 million for the same period in 2025, primarily driven by increased stock-based compensation related to performance-based awards. - Net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$3.9 million , or$0.20 per basic and diluted share, for the three months ended June 30, 2026, compared to$10.2 million , or$1.33 per basic and diluted share, for the same period in 2025. The lower net loss was driven by increased revenue, lower research and development expenses and higher interest income from a larger cash balance following Assembly Bio’s recent financings. Lower net loss per share also reflects a higher weighted-average share count in 2026.
About Assembly Biosciences
Assembly Biosciences is a biotechnology company dedicated to the development of innovative small-molecule therapeutics aimed at advancing the treatment paradigm of serious viral and liver diseases and improving the lives of patients worldwide. Led by an accomplished leadership team in antiviral and liver disease drug development, Assembly Bio is committed to improving outcomes for people living with the chronic impacts of herpesvirus, hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infections, cholestatic liver diseases and hepatitis B virus (HBV). For more information, visit assemblybio.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
The information in this press release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to materially differ. These risks and uncertainties include: Assembly Bio’s ability to realize the potential benefits of its collaboration with Gilead, including all financial aspects of the collaboration and equity investments; Assembly Bio’s ability to initiate and complete clinical studies involving its therapeutic product candidates, including studies contemplated by Assembly Bio’s collaboration with Gilead, including studies conducted by Gilead, in the currently anticipated timeframes or at all; safety and efficacy data from clinical or nonclinical studies may not warrant further development of product candidates; clinical and nonclinical data may not differentiate product candidates from other companies’ candidates; Assembly Bio’s ability to maintain financial resources and secure additional funding necessary to continue its research activities, clinical studies, and other business operations; potential effects of changes in government regulation; results of nonclinical studies may not be representative of disease behavior in a clinical setting and may not be predictive of the outcomes of clinical studies; and other risks identified from time to time in Assembly Bio’s reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). You are urged to consider statements that include the words may, will, would, could, should, might, believes, hopes, estimates, projects, potential, expects, plans, anticipates, intends, continues, forecast, designed, goal or the negative of those words or other comparable words to be uncertain and forward-looking. Assembly Bio intends such forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions contained in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. More information about Assembly Bio’s risks and uncertainties are more fully detailed under the heading “Risk Factors” in Assembly Bio’s filings with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. Except as required by law, Assembly Bio assumes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Investors:
Patrick Till
Meru Advisors
(484) 788-8560
investor_relations@assemblybio.com
Media:
Jamie Strachota
Sam Brown LLC
(703) 819-7647
ASMBMedia@sambrown.com
| ASSEMBLY BIOSCIENCES, INC. | |||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | |||||||||
| (In thousands except for share amounts and par value) | |||||||||
| June 30, | December 31, | ||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | ||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| ASSETS | |||||||||
| Current assets | |||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 32,286 | $ | 58,450 | |||||
| Marketable securities | 288,075 | 189,656 | |||||||
| Accounts receivable from collaboration with a related party | 822 | 974 | |||||||
| Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 6,795 | 5,469 | |||||||
| Total current assets | 327,978 | 254,549 | |||||||
| Property and equipment, net | 315 | 221 | |||||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 2,227 | 2,508 | |||||||
| Other assets | 312 | 312 | |||||||
| Total assets | $ | 330,832 | $ | 257,590 | |||||
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | |||||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||||
| Accounts payable | $ | 1,180 | $ | 1,171 | |||||
| Accrued research and development expenses | 2,007 | 2,387 | |||||||
| Other accrued expenses | 3,342 | 7,749 | |||||||
| Deferred revenue from a related party | 16,304 | 36,904 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - short-term | 612 | 569 | |||||||
| Total current liabilities | 23,445 | 48,780 | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities - long-term | 1,738 | 2,059 | |||||||
| Total liabilities | 25,183 | 50,839 | |||||||
| Commitments and contingencies | |||||||||
| Stockholders' equity | |||||||||
| Preferred stock, | — | — | |||||||
| Common stock, | 20 | 16 | |||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 1,151,235 | 1,038,823 | |||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (623 | ) | (41 | ) | |||||
| Accumulated deficit | (844,983 | ) | (832,047 | ) | |||||
| Total stockholders' equity | 305,649 | 206,751 | |||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 330,832 | $ | 257,590 | |||||
| ASSEMBLY BIOSCIENCES, INC. | ||||||||||||||||||
| CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS | ||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands except for share and per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended June 30, | Six Months Ended June 30, | |||||||||||||||||
| 2026 | 2025 | 2026 | 2025 | |||||||||||||||
| Collaboration revenue from a related party | $ | 13,374 | $ | 9,626 | $ | 21,587 | $ | 19,045 | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development | 14,917 | 16,125 | 29,817 | 30,976 | ||||||||||||||
| General and administrative | 4,801 | 4,594 | 9,484 | 9,103 | ||||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 19,718 | 20,719 | 39,301 | 40,079 | ||||||||||||||
| Loss from operations | (6,344 | ) | (11,093 | ) | (17,714 | ) | (21,034 | ) | ||||||||||
| Other income | ||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and other income, net | 2,487 | 895 | 4,778 | 2,018 | ||||||||||||||
| Total other income | 2,487 | 895 | 4,778 | 2,018 | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (3,857 | ) | $ | (10,198 | ) | $ | (12,936 | ) | $ | (19,016 | ) | ||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | ||||||||||||||||||
| Unrealized loss on marketable securities | 255 | 26 | 582 | 68 | ||||||||||||||
| Comprehensive loss | $ | (4,112 | ) | $ | (10,224 | ) | $ | (13,518 | ) | $ | (19,084 | ) | ||||||
| Net loss per share, basic and diluted | $ | (0.20 | ) | $ | (1.33 | ) | $ | (0.72 | ) | $ | (2.51 | ) | ||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic and diluted | 18,853,646 | 7,655,854 | 17,882,335 | 7,581,501 | ||||||||||||||
