Assembly Bioscie Stock Price, News & Analysis

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB) announced the discontinuation of its ABI-H2158 development after observing elevated alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in a Phase 2 trial, indicating drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Patient safety remains a priority, and the company will focus on advancing ongoing triple combination studies and developing other core inhibitor candidates. The Phase 2 study for ABI-H2158 involved 88 patients, with some suffering significant ALT elevations. The FDA has placed the drug on clinical hold. Assembly Bio aims to extend its cash runway into late 2023 while progressing promising pipeline assets.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB) has selected a new core inhibitor candidate, ABI-4334, optimized for potency, to advance into clinical development targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV). The company is executing preclinical work with plans to initiate clinical studies in 2022. ABI-4334 shows promising preclinical results, including single-digit nanomolar potency against new virus production and cccDNA formation. The candidate demonstrates pan-genotypic activity, an improved resistance profile, and favorable pharmacokinetics, aiming to offer a finite and curative HBV therapy.

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB) reported its Q2 2021 financial results, highlighting a cash position of $199.1 million. However, revenues plummeted to $0, down from $39.4 million in Q2 2020, due to the termination of its microbiome collaboration with Allergan. R&D expenses decreased to $16.7 million from $23.3 million, while general and administrative costs fell to $6.9 million from $9.5 million. The net loss was $23.6 million, or $0.55 per share, compared to net income of $7.3 million, or $0.21 per share, in the previous year. The company aims to advance its HBV clinical programs.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB) announced the promotions of Jason Okazaki to Chief Operating Officer and Michael Samar to Chief Financial Officer. Okazaki, with 20 years of business and legal experience, has been with Assembly Bio since 2020, while Samar has over 20 years in finance and operations since joining the company in 2017. CEO John McHutchison praised their contributions toward achieving long-term objectives in developing therapies targeted at hepatitis B virus (HBV). The company aims to provide curative treatments for the 270 million HBV-infected individuals globally.

Assembly Biosciences Appoints Dr. Michael Houghton to Board

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB) has appointed Sir Michael Houghton, PhD, a Nobel Prize-winning virologist, to its board of directors. Dr. Houghton, renowned for discovering the hepatitis C virus, brings over 40 years of drug development experience. His expertise is expected to enhance Assembly Bio's efforts towards finite and curative therapies for hepatitis B virus (HBV), targeting over 250 million individuals globally. CEO John McHutchison emphasized the potential impact of Dr. Houghton’s insights on the company's innovative therapeutic pipeline.

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology company, announced the grant of stock options to three new employees for a total of 21,520 shares at an exercise price of $3.82. The options have a ten-year term and will vest over four years. This grant is part of Assembly Bio's 2020 Inducement Award Plan and aims to support the hiring of new talent as part of their commitment to developing innovative therapeutics for hepatitis B virus (HBV). The approval was made by the Compensation Committee, consisting of independent directors.

Assembly Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASMB) presented data from its core inhibitor programs during the International Liver Congress™ 2021, focusing on hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapies.

CEO John McHutchison highlighted the promising efficacy of their lead candidate, vebicorvir (VBR), alongside next-generation candidates ABI-H2158 and ABI-H3733. These drugs aim for deeper virologic suppression in HBV patients. The data showed significant plasma concentrations above effective levels, indicating potential improved outcomes. However, no sustained virologic response was observed in patients stopping VBR treatment.

Assembly Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASMB) announced that three abstracts related to their hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapeutics will be presented at the International Liver Congress™ 2021 from June 23-26, 2021. The company will showcase findings on its core inhibitor programs, vebicorvir (VBR), ABI-H2158, and ABI-H3733. Key presentations include an oral discussion on the enhanced potency of the next-generation inhibitors and two posters revealing resistance data and treatment response following therapy discontinuation.

Chronic HBV affects approximately 270 million people worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for effective treatments.

Assembly Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASMB) announced stock options granted to six new employees, totaling 106,520 shares at an exercise price of $4.03, the closing price on June 1, 2021. These options serve as inducements for employment and have a ten-year term with a four-year vesting schedule. The options were approved by the Compensation Committee as per Nasdaq regulations and fall under the 2017 Inducement Award Plan. Assembly Bio focuses on innovative therapeutics for hepatitis B, aiming to develop curative therapies for the 270 million global patients.