Assembly Bioscie Stock Price, News & Analysis

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB) reported its financial results for Q4 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The company is concentrating on developing finite and curative therapies for chronic hepatitis B, halting Phase 3 studies of vebicorvir as a chronic suppressive treatment. They reported revenues of $79.1 million for 2020, a significant increase from $16.0 million in 2019, largely due to collaborations with BeiGene and Abbvie. R&D expenses rose to $106.8 million, reflecting a growing focus on HBV. The net loss for 2020 was $62.2 million, showing improvement from $97.6 million in 2019.

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB) announced a strategic shift from Phase 3 clinical studies of vebicorvir (VBR) to focus on finite and curative therapies for hepatitis B virus (HBV). This change aims to expedite the development of more potent core inhibitors and novel treatment combinations. The company anticipates extending its cash runway into 2023, bolstered by ongoing clinical studies, including a Phase 2a trial combining VBR with Nucleos(t)ide Analogue Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors. CEO John McHutchison reaffirms commitment to addressing HBV's unmet medical needs.

Assembly Biosciences (ASMB), a clinical-stage biotechnology firm focused on hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapeutics, announced two investor events. The first is a Key Objectives and Anticipated Progress Conference Call on February 25, 2021, at 5 p.m. ET, coinciding with the release of Q4 and year-end 2020 financial results. The second event is the SVB Leerink 10th Annual Global Healthcare Conference, featuring CEO John McHutchison in a fireside chat on February 26, 2021, at 1:40 p.m. ET. Both events will be accessible via Assembly Bio’s website, with archived webcasts available for replay.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB) announced the grant of stock options to three new employees, totaling 38,000 shares at an exercise price of $5.79 per share. This incentive is part of the company's strategy to attract talent as they develop therapies targeting hepatitis B virus (HBV). The stock options have a ten-year term and vest over four years. These grants were made under the 2020 Inducement Award Plan and are approved by the Compensation Committee, aligning with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB) has decided to wind down its microbiome program to concentrate resources on advancing its hepatitis B virus (HBV) therapeutic portfolio. This strategic move aims to enhance the company's focus on developing core inhibitors for chronic HBV treatments. As of September 30, 2020, Assembly Bio reported cash reserves of approximately $238M, projected to sustain operations into the second half of 2022. The decision does not stem from any negative data regarding the microbiome program and is anticipated to conclude by January 31, 2021.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: ASMB), announced the grant of stock options for 14,520 shares to three new employees, with an exercise price of $5.66 per share, based on the closing price on December 1, 2020. The options will vest over four years, with one-fourth vesting after the first year and the remaining in monthly installments. This grant is part of the 2017 Inducement Award Plan and was approved by the Compensation Committee. The new employees do not hold executive positions.

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (ASMB) announces the appointment of Nicole S. White, PhD, as Senior Vice President of Pharmaceutical Development and Manufacturing. With over 20 years in the field, Dr. White's experience includes leadership roles at Gilead Sciences and Gossamer Bio. She will play a crucial role in advancing the company's pipeline, particularly the core inhibitor vebicorvir, which is set for Phase 3 studies next year. This strategic addition aims to enhance Assembly's capabilities in developing novel therapeutics for hepatitis B virus (HBV) and microbiome-related diseases.

Assembly Biosciences (Nasdaq: ASMB) has entered a two-year exclusive collaboration with Door Pharmaceuticals to develop a novel class of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein modulators. The partnership will leverage Door's discovery platform, which targets functions of HBV core proteins that could disrupt viral nucleic acid activity. Assembly Biosciences will fund the research and retains the option to license resulting compounds. Chronic HBV affects over 250 million globally, necessitating innovative therapies to improve cure rates.

Assembly Biosciences, a clinical-stage biotechnology company, reported its HBV core inhibitor programs' data at the AASLD 2020 conference. The findings highlighted the differentiated safety profile of vebicorvir in combination with nucleos(t)ide therapy, potentially offering improved chronic suppressive therapy for HBV patients. Notable outcomes from the studies include a stable safety profile for vebicorvir over 1.5 years and the significance of HBV pgRNA as a biomarker. Upcoming Phase 3 trials are planned for vebicorvir in 2021.