Vir Biotechnology Stock Hits 52-Week High Tuesday - Here's Why

Vir Biotechnology Inc. (NASDAQ: VIR) shares are up during Tuesday’s premarket session following a significant strategic collaboration with Astellas Pharma Inc. (OTC: ALPMF) (OTC: ALPMY), better-than-expected fourth-quarter earnings, and early study results for VIR-5500.

Multi Billion Deal With Astellas

The partnership with the Japanese drugmaker announced on Monday aims to advance VIR-5500, an investigational treatment for prostate cancer, which is expected to enhance the company’s oncology pipeline as it seeks to address a critical area in cancer treatment.

Vir Biotechnology will receive $335 million in upfront and near-term milestone payments, including $240 million in cash and $75 million in equity investment at a 50% premium.

Additionally, Vir is eligible for up to $1.37 billion in further milestone payments.

The partnership allows Astellas to lead the commercialization of VIR-5500 in the U.S. and split U.S. profit/loss equally.

Prostate Cancer Data

On Monday, Vir Biotechnology shared new data from the ongoing Phase 1 VIR-5500 trial for advanced metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) patients who have progressed after multiple lines of therapy.

The data suggest that VIR-5500 monotherapy is well-tolerated and exhibits promising anti-tumor activity.

Dose‑dependent activity was observed across the entire treatment group as measured by both prostate-specific antigen (PSA) declines and radiographic responses.

Efficacy data were reported in the highest dose cohorts (≥3,000 µg/kg Q3W; n=22/58).

PSA50 declines occurred in 82%, and PSA90 declines occurred in 53%.

Among RECIST‑evaluable patients, objective responses were seen in 45% (5/11). Of the five responders, four achieved confirmed responses with one patient pending confirmation.

Reductions on PSMA‑PET (positron emission tomography) affirm PSA declines and radiographic responses, with tumor shrinkage observed across multiple lesions, including visceral metastases.

Next In Prostate Cancer Program

Vir Biotechnology has concluded QW and Q3W monotherapy dose-escalation in late-line mCRPC.

In parallel, dose-escalation of VIR-5500 in combination with enzalutamide continues in early-line mCRPC patients.

The company anticipates initiating monotherapy dose-expansion cohorts in late-line mCRPC and combination dose-expansion cohorts in both early-line mCRPC and metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) in the second quarter of 2026, followed by pivotal Phase 3 trials in 2027.

Cash Position

Based on current operating plans, including the Astellas global collaboration and the Astellas equity investment, Vir Biotech expects its cash, cash equivalents, and investments to fund operations into the second quarter of 2028.

Vir Biotechnology reported a fourth-quarter loss of 31 cents, beating the consensus loss of 41 cents. Sales reached $64.07 million, surpassing the consensus of $23.18 million.

Technical Analysis

The stock is currently trading 12.3% above its 20-day simple moving average (SMA) and 14.5% above its 100-day SMA, demonstrating strong short-term strength. Shares have increased 50.20% over the past 12 months and are currently positioned closer to their 52-week highs than lows.

The RSI is at 50.00, which is considered neutral territory. Meanwhile, MACD is at 0.10, below its signal line at 0.15, indicating bearish pressure on the stock.

The combination of neutral RSI and bearish MACD suggests mixed momentum.

• Key Resistance: $12.00
• Key Support: $10.00

VIR Price Action: Vir Biotechnology shares were up 59.49% at $11.85 during premarket trading on Tuesday. The stock is trading at a new 52-week high.

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