Arbutus Biopharma Reaches Transformative Global Settlement With Moderna
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An update from Arbutus Biopharma ( (ABUS) ) is now available.
On March 3, 2026, Arbutus Biopharma and Genevant Sciences entered into a $2.25 billion global settlement with Moderna to resolve all U.S. and international patent infringement disputes over Moderna’s use of their lipid nanoparticle delivery technology in COVID-19 vaccines, including Spikevax. Under the agreement, Moderna will pay $950 million upfront by July 2026 and up to an additional $1.3 billion depending on the outcome of its appeal over the applicability of U.S. statute Section 1498, while receiving a fully paid-up, worldwide, non-exclusive license to use SM-102-based LNP technology for certain mRNA infectious disease vaccines and securing an end to related infringement claims.
The deal includes stipulated judgments that recognize infringement and no invalidity for four Genevant/Arbutus patents, mutual releases, and financial covenants governing potential contingent payments and any required repayment if appellate outcomes later change. Arbutus, which is entitled to 20% of Genevant settlement proceeds after litigation costs or a capped royalty equivalent, described the settlement as transformative for the company and signaled it is evaluating a return of capital to shareholders in the third quarter of 2026, while emphasizing that separate LNP litigation against Pfizer/BioNTech remains ongoing.
The most recent analyst rating on (ABUS) stock is a Sell with a $4.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Arbutus Biopharma stock, see the ABUS Stock Forecast page.
Spark’s Take on ABUS Stock
According to Spark, TipRanks’ AI Analyst, ABUS is a Neutral.
The score is primarily constrained by weak financial performance (large losses, negative margins, declining revenue, and negative operating/free cash flow). Technicals are also soft with the price below key short- and mid-term moving averages and weak momentum indicators. Valuation is less supportive due to a negative P/E, and corporate events add uncertainty due to litigation and patent-related risks.
To see Spark’s full report on ABUS stock, click here.
More about Arbutus Biopharma
Arbutus Biopharma Corporation is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, currently developing imdusiran (AB-729) and an oral PD-L1 inhibitor (AB-101) for chronic hepatitis B. The company also works with exclusive licensee Genevant Sciences to protect and enforce its lipid nanoparticle intellectual property, including in ongoing litigation against Pfizer/BioNTech over COVID-19 vaccines.
Average Trading Volume: 1,614,399
Technical Sentiment Signal: Buy
Current Market Cap: $898.2M
For detailed information about ABUS stock, go to TipRanks’ Stock Analysis page.
