Infectious diseases are among the greatest threats to global health, economic security, and society as a whole. They are among the leading causes of death and are responsible for hundreds of billions of dollars in direct and indirect economic impact each year.
Pathogens – like viruses – spread fast and can mutate quickly. New pathogens are emerging more frequently than ever as shrinking natural habitats and the ease of global travel brings humans in closer and more frequent contact with each other and with other species, reinforcing the critical need to develop solutions now for the infectious disease threats of the future.
Vir Biotechnology was founded in 2016 with a bold mission of creating a world without infectious disease. Today, Vir is a commercial stage immunology company focused on addressing diseases such as hepatitis B, hepatitis D and HIV/AIDS, as well as global pandemic threats such as influenza and COVID-19.
Vir has a proven track record of bringing new therapeutics to people around the world, including the discovery of an antibody to treat Ebola that is recognized by the World Health Organization for its impact. And when COVID-19 emerged, Vir rose to the challenge by quickly mobilizing resources and partners to develop and deliver a monoclonal antibody therapy to people around the world in just 15 months.
Currently, Vir is working to develop therapies to address these infectious diseases:
· Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) – Hepatitis B affects more than 300 million people worldwide. Often referred to as “a silent killer,” it can progress to irreparable liver damage and liver cancer without any outward symptoms. Life-long oral therapies can help manage the infection, but the current rate of functional cure is just 7%. Vir is focused on multiple dual-approach regimens designed to stop the virus and clear the infection with the goal of achieving a functional cure rate of higher than 30%.
· Hepatitis D Virus (HDV) – Hepatitis D, which affects more than 12 million people worldwide, is the most aggressive form of hepatitis and occurs as an HBV co-infection. HDV increases the risk of liver cancer by more than four times that of HBV alone and has few available treatment options. Vir is evaluating its novel HBV combination strategy with the goal of stopping the hepatitis D virus.
· Influenza (Flu) – The World Health Organization and other scientific experts believe a new flu pandemic is a question of “when,” not “if”. Globally, seasonal flu causes millions of hospitalizations and hundreds of thousands of deaths annually. The mortality rate of a flu pandemic could be exponentially worse. Vir is reimagining flu prevention through the development of monoclonal antibodies designed to prevent illness from seasonal strains as well as those with pandemic potential.
· HIV – Approximately 1.8 million cases of HIV and 1 million HIV-related deaths occur annually worldwide. Current prevention approaches have not made a significant impact on the global rate of infections, and there is no effective HIV vaccine. Vir is focused on developing potential HIV prevention and HIV cure solutions.
· COVID-19 – Vir has made a significant difference in the fight against COVID-19, including delivering over 2.1 million doses of a novel monoclonal antibody therapy for the treatment of COVID-19 for high-risk individuals. 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. As COVID-19 continues to evolve, Vir continues to explore the potential to bring meaningful solutions forward, especially for the immunocompromised.
Vir believes its mission to deliver a world without infectious disease matters now more than ever and the Company is committed to acting with urgency...because patients are waiting.
