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Merck Delivers Profitable Organic Growth Amid Strong Currency Headwinds

On August 7, 2025 Merck, a leading science and technology company, reported its organic growth. Despite ongoing geopolitical uncertainties, Group net sales in the second quarter of 2025 increased by 2.0% organically compared with the year-earlier quarter, while EBITDA pre rose by 4.6% organically (Press release, Merck KGaA, AUG 7, 2025, View Source [SID1234654881]). Process Solutions within the Life Science business sector recorded another very strong quarter, while sales of Healthcare’s blockbuster drugs Mavenclad and Erbitux saw very strong growth. In addition, the Semiconductor Materials business within Electronics continued to grow, fueled by strong demand for AI technologies.

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Strong negative foreign exchange effects, especially the weakening of the U.S. dollar against the euro, weighed on net sales and EBITDA pre. Group net sales declined by 1.8% to € 5.3 billion due to negative foreign exchange effects of 4.2%. Negative foreign exchange also impacted EBITDA pre by 7.2%, leading to an overall decrease by 3.1% to € 1.5 billion. As a result, the EBITDA pre margin of 27.8% was 0.4 percentage points lower than the year-earlier period. Earnings per share pre amounted to € 2.02 compared with € 2.20 in the year-earlier quarter.

"We have delivered solid underlying sales and earnings growth," said Belén Garijo, Chair of the Executive Board and CEO of Merck. "Yes, currency effects are taking their toll. But by standing on three pillars – Life Science, Healthcare and Electronics – we are, as a Group, better able to withstand the geopolitical, economic and currency swings that are buffeting companies around the world. Meanwhile, our recently completed acquisition of SpringWorks Therapeutics underlines our conviction that cutting-edge technology, including through strategically savvy acquisitions and partnerships, is key to securing future growth."

Life Science accelerates underlying growth

Process Solutions recorded yet another strong quarter, significantly driving growth for Life Science. Overall, net sales of the business sector rose organically by 3.7%. This growth was mostly offset by foreign exchange effects, leading to net sales growth of 0.4% to € 2.3 billion in the second quarter of 2025. EBITDA pre grew organically by 3.7%, primarily thanks to higher net sales. However, negative foreign exchange and portfolio effects resulted in a decline of 1.3% to € 646 million.

Process Solutions, which offers solutions for the entire pharmaceutical production value chain, saw an organic net sales increase of 11.5%. This marked the business unit’s second consecutive double-digit quarterly increase and its best sales performance in two years. During the Covid-19 pandemic, customers had substantially increased their inventories, resulting in a post-pandemic drop in demand. However, order intake has risen very strongly again, with the book-to-bill ratio comfortably above 1 in the second quarter of 2025.

The Science & Lab Solutions unit, which offers products and services for pharmaceutical, biotechnology and academic research, faced challenging market conditions in the United States in particular, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding funding for scientific research. While overall spending on pharmaceutical research remained restrained, the company saw some encouraging signs from pharma and biotech customers. Net sales growth was organically flat (+/–0.0%), an improvement on an organic decline of 2.5% in the first quarter of 2025.

Challenging market conditions, in particular early-stage biotech funding, continued to weigh on the Life Science Services business unit, which offers customers services as a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) of medications as well as testing services. Net sales declined by 8.2% organically.

Blockbusters fuel Healthcare growth

Growth in Healthcare was mainly driven by two blockbuster drugs Erbitux and Mavenclad and the Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology franchise. Net sales of the business sector as a whole grew by 3.6% organically compared with the previous year; however, negative foreign exchange effects led to a decline of 1.6% to € 2.1 billion. EBITDA pre grew organically by 20.0%, primarily as a result of temporarily reduced spending on research and development, a favorable product mix, strong commercial execution, and continued cost discipline. Despite negative foreign exchange effects in the double-digit percentage range, EBITDA pre rose 8.8% to € 783 million.

Net sales of Erbitux increased organically by 10.9% thanks to increased demand. The drug is a treatment for metastatic colorectal cancer as well as cancer of the head and neck. Bavencio, used to treat a type of bladder cancer, saw weaker demand as other treatment options are now available for this indication. Net sales declined by 12.1% organically. Overall, net sales of the Oncology franchise grew by 3.9% organically.

Mavenclad, which is used to treat multiple sclerosis, achieved strong organic growth of 20.7% because of increased demand in the United States and Europe. With net sales of € 307 million, Mavenclad delivered record quarterly sales. The multiple sclerosis drug Rebif recorded an organic net sales decline of 26.1%, in line with the global interferon market. Net sales of the Neurology & Immunology franchise grew by 2.6% organically.

The Cardiovascular, Metabolism & Endocrinology franchise achieved organic net sales growth of 4.7%. This franchise includes the diabetes medicine Glucophage, the beta-blocker Concor, the thyroid medicine Euthyrox, and Saizen, which is primarily used to treat various growth hormone disorders. All therapeutic areas contributed to the positive organic sales development.

In the Fertility franchise, Pergoveris achieved 20.5% organic net sales growth supported by its differentiated profile. The drug stimulates the production and release of egg cells. Gonal-f, a hormone treatment for infertility, saw an organic net sales decline of 12.5% amid high year-earlier comparables. The franchise’s overall net sales declined by 3.4% organically.

Going forward, SpringWorks Therapeutics will also contribute to the growth of Merck. Merck completed the acquisition of this U.S.-based biopharmaceutical company for US$ 3.4 billion (approximately € 3 billion) on July 1, 2025. With SpringWorks’ portfolio, Merck is expanding its rare tumor business. On July 18, 2025, the European Commission granted conditional approval for Ezmekly (mirdametinib). Developed by SpringWorks, it is used for the treatment of symptomatic, inoperable plexiform neurofibromas.

Electronics sees continued demand for semiconductor materials

The decline in Delivery Systems & Services has been sharper than anticipated, with already committed customer capital projects being delayed further. AI demand is driving the continued growth of materials needed for advanced nodes – the latest semiconductor manufacturing processes that allow for smaller feature sizes. The Semiconductor Materials business continued to deliver low single-digit organic growth for the second quarter against a strong comparable period.

Net sales of Electronics declined by 7.4% to € 886 million (organically: –5.6%) amid negative foreign exchange effects of –3.5%. Excluding foreign exchange effects, the second quarter saw the highest quarterly revenue for Semiconductor Materials since 2022, reflecting the sixth quarter of sequential growth. EBITDA pre declined by 47.6% to € 134 million (organically: –41.3%) due mainly to one-time effects including a purchase price allocation (PPA) adjustment and a provision for potential customer claims as a result of a non-quality-related problem caused by a supplier.

Sales in Optronics were around stable with the acquisition contribution from Unity‑SC more than offsetting lower sales for liquid crystals and OLED materials and foreign exchange headwinds. Demand for metrology and inspection, highly precise measurement and testing equipment for semiconductor manufacturing, increased year-on-year with strong demand from the field of Artificial Intelligence. Organically, overall net sales declined by 5.3%.

Net sales in Surface Solutions declined organically by 6.4% due to low demand, especially in cosmetics. Merck closed the divestment of the business unit on July 31, 2025. By divesting Surface Solutions, the company is positioning its Electronics business sector even more strongly as a provider of semiconductor solutions.

Merck refines 2025 guidance

Merck refined its existing guidance for the full year. The company narrowed the expected organic sales growth range for the Group to 2% to 5% (previously 2% to 6%). For EBITDA pre, Merck raised its guidance and now expects organic growth of 4% to 8% (previously 2% to 7%). This change was driven by positive guidance adjustments for Life Science and Healthcare as well as high cost discipline in all business sectors.

For Life Science, Merck now expects organic net sales growth of 3% to 6% (previously 2% to 6%) and organic EBITDA pre growth of 3% to 7% (previously 1% to 7%). For Healthcare, the range for expected organic net sales growth was narrowed to 3% to 5% (previously 2% to 6%). Merck now expects EBITDA pre for Healthcare to grow organically by 9% to 13% (previously 4% to 10%). For Electronics, the company’s smallest business sector, the new guidance reflects the one-time effects arising in the second quarter. Organic net sales are expected to decline by –5% to –1% (previously +1% to +6%), and organic EBITDA pre by –15% to –7% (previously –3% to +8%).

Overview of the key figures for Q2 2025

Merck Group

Key figures

€ million

Q2 2025

Q2 2024

Change

Net sales

5,255

5,352

-1.8%

Operating result (EBIT)1

891

792

12.4%

Margin (% of net sales)1

17.0%

14.8%

EBITDA2

1,348

1,472

-8.5%

Margin (% of net sales)1

25.6%

27.5%

EBITDA pre1

1,462

1,509

-3.1%

Margin (% of net sales)1

27.8%

28.2%

Profit after income tax

655

605

8.3%

Earnings per share (€)

1.50

1.40

7.1%

Earnings per share pre (€)1

2.02

2.20

-8.2%

Operating cash flow

567

861

-34.2%

Net financial debt1, 3

7,973

7,155

11.4%

Number of employees4

63,160

62,176

1.6%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

2 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS); EBITDA corresponds to operating result (EBIT) adjusted by depreciation,
amortization, impairment losses, and reversals of impairment losses.

3 Figures for the reporting period ending on June 30, 2025, prior-year figures as of December 31, 2024.

4 Figures for the reporting period ending on June 30, 2025, prior-year figures as of June 30, 2024. This figure refers to all employees at sites of fully consolidated entities.

Merck Group

Net sales by business sector

€ million

Q2 2025

Organic
growth1

Exchange
rate effects1

Acquisitions/
divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Life Science

2,267

43%

3.7%

-3.6%

0.3%

0.4%

2,258

42%

Healthcare

2,102

40%

3.6%

-5.2%

0.0%

-1.6%

2,137

40%

Electronics

886

17%

-5.6%

-3.5%

1.7%

-7.4%

957

18%

Merck Group

5,255

100%

2.0%

-4.2%

0.4%

-1.8%

5,352

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Life Science

Net sales by business unit

€ million

Q2 2025

Organic growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Acquisitions/ divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Science & Lab Solutions

1,150

51%

0.0%

-3.7%

0.2%

-3.5%

1,192

53%

Process Solutions

945

42%

11.5%

-3.4%

0.4%

8.4%

871

38%

Life Science Services

172

-8.2%

-3.4%

0.0%

-11.5%

194

Life Science

2,267

100%

3.7%

-3.6%

0.3%

0.4%

2,258

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Healthcare

Net sales by major product lines/products

€ million

Q2 2025

Organic
growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Total change

Q2 2024

Oncology

485

23%

3.9%

-5.0%

-1.1%

490

23%

thereof: Erbitux

288

14%

10.9%

-6.6%

4.3%

276

13%

thereof: Bavencio

158

-12.1%

-2.8%

-14.9%

186

Neurology & Immunology

425

20%

2.6%

-4.6%

-2.0%

434

20%

thereof: Mavenclad

307

15%

20.7%

-5.4%

15.3%

266

12%

thereof: Rebif

119

-26.1%

-3.2%

-29.3%

168

Fertility

366

17%

-3.4%

-5.8%

-9.1%

403

19%

thereof: Gonal-f

186

-12.5%

-5.6%

-18.1%

227

11%

thereof: Pergoveris

20.5%

-6.1%

14.4%

Cardiovascular, Metabolism and Endocrinology

741

35%

4.7%

-5.4%

-0.7%

746

35%

thereof: Glucophage

235

11%

4.3%

-5.4%

-1.1%

238

11%

thereof: Concor

154

1.0%

-3.4%

-2.4%

158

thereof: Euthyrox

155

6.3%

-6.1%

0.2%

155

thereof: Saizen

9.7%

-7.8%

1.9%

Other

Healthcare

2,102

100%

3.6%

-5.2%

-1.6%

2,137

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Electronics

Net sales by business unit

€ million

Q2 2025

Organic growth1

Exchange rate effects1

Acquisitions/ divestments1

Total change

Q2 2024

Semiconductor Solutions

603

68%

-5.6%

-3.7%

-0.1%

-9.3%

665

69%

Optronics

189

21%

-5.3%

-3.4%

9.0%

0.3%

188

20%

Surface Solutions

11%

-6.4%

-2.9%

0.0%

-9.3%

104

11%

Electronics

886

100%

-5.6%

-3.5%

1.7%

-7.4%

957

100%

1 Not defined by IFRS Accounting Standards (IFRS).

Forecast

Forecast for FY 2025

€ million

Net sales

EBITDA pre1

Operating cash flow

Merck Group

~20,500 to 21,700
Organic +2% to +5%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~0%

~5,900 to 6,300
Organic +4% to +8%
Foreign exchange effect -6% to -3%
Portfolio -2% to -1%

~3,600 to 4,000

Life Science

~8,800 to 9,300
Organic +3% to +6%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%

~2,500 to 2,700
Organic +3% to +7%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%

Healthcare

~8,500 to 8,900
Organic +3% to +5%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~+2%

~2,900 to 3,100
Organic +9% to +13%
Foreign exchange effect -9% to -6%
Portfolio -3% to -2%

Electronics

~3,300 to 3,600
Organic -5% to -1%
Foreign exchange effect -5% to -2%
Portfolio ~-3%

~700 to 900
Organic -15% to -7%
Foreign exchange effect -6% to -3%
Portfolio -3% to -1%

Corporate and Other

n/a

~-350 to -400

Novo Nordisk’s sales increased by 16% in Danish kroner and by 18% at constant exchange rates to DKK 154.9 billion in the first six months of 2025

On August 6, 2025 Novo Nordisk reported the company’s sales increased by 16% in Danish kroner and by 18% at constant exchange rates to DKK 154.9 billion in the first six months of 2025 (Press release, Novo Nordisk, AUG 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234655576]).

Half-Year Financial Report 2025

On August 6, 2025 Bayer reported its second quarter 2025 financial results (Presentation, Bayer, AUG 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234655500]).

XtalPi and DoveTree Announce Landmark $6 Billion AI Drug Discovery Collaboration

On August 6, 2025 XtalPi (2228.HK), a leading global technology company in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics for drug and materials discovery, reported a transformative strategic collaboration with DoveTree Medicines, a biotechnology pioneer founded by renowned drug developer Dr. Gregory Verdine (Press release, XtalPi, AUG 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234654892]). The collaboration, worth up to $5.99 billion, represents one of the largest commitments to date for AI- and robotics-driven pharmaceutical R&D.

Under the agreement, DoveTree gains exclusive global rights to develop and commercialize a portfolio of innovative therapeutics generated through the partnership. XtalPi has received an upfront payment of $51 million and is eligible for $49 million in additional near-term payments, plus development and commercial milestones, as well as tiered royalties totaling up to $5.89 billion.

This collaboration merges XtalPi’s integrated drug discovery capabilities with DoveTree’s deep biological expertise in selecting and validating novel targets of high therapeutic potential. Together, the companies will focus on developing first-in-class candidates across oncology, immunology and inflammatory diseases, neurological disorders, and metabolic dysregulation with significant unmet needs. The partnership will advance DoveTree’s selected pipeline of projects targeting historically challenging mechanisms, with plans to expand joint R&D capabilities in emerging modalities like molecular glue.

DoveTree Medicines was founded by Dr. Gregory Verdine, an internationally esteemed scientist, entrepreneur, and seasoned investor in the biopharmaceutical field, with outstanding achievements in both academia and industry. He has co-founded over a dozen biopharmaceutical companies, including more than five publicly listed firms such as Enanta Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ENTA), Rein Therapeutics (NASDAQ: RNTX), and WaVe Life Sciences (NASDAQ: WVE). Credited with originating the "drugging the undruggable" concept, Dr. Verdine has pioneered unique molecular glue and peptide technology platforms, successfully applying them to the drug development against "undruggable" proteins such as RAS, Myc, and β-catenin. He has co-developed three FDA-approved drugs, with over a dozen additional candidates currently in clinical development.

XtalPi has developed an intelligent de novo drug discovery platform that spans small molecules, biologics, antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and molecular glues. This multimodal capability enables the efficient exploration of parallel drug development approaches against single targets and unlocks broader chemical space. By integrating quantum physics predictions, AI-driven molecular design, and a large-scale robotic lab-in-the-loop, XtalPi significantly accelerates the drug discovery workflow—from target analysis and molecular generation to affinity prediction, ADMET assessment, and synthesis design—with enhanced accuracy and efficiency. Through extensive partnerships with innovative pharmaceutical companies, XtalPi’s platform has been rigorously validated in real-world projects, accumulating vast datasets of standardized experimental data and high-precision computational data to continuously optimize models within a closed feedback loop.

Dr. Gregory Verdine, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of DoveTree, stated: "XtalPi’s unique platform has the potential to transform the profound uncertainties of drug discovery into quantifiable engineering solutions. Their demonstrated ability to innovate at scale makes them a valuable partner in pursuing drug targets that are beyond conventional methods. By merging DoveTree’s biological insights and extensive R&D expertise with XtalPi’s powerful platform, we aim to deliver transformative therapies for patients globally."

Dr. Shuhao Wen, Chairman of XtalPi, commented: "Dr. Verdine and DoveTree bring exceptional biological acumen, business vision, and a proven track record of translational success, perfectly complementing our platform’s strengths in high-throughput molecule generation, design, and validation. This partnership positions us to accelerate breakthroughs against complex diseases while expanding the frontiers of AI-driven drug discovery. XtalPi remains committed to advancing our core technologies and working closely with leading innovators to help build diverse pipelines of impactful medicines."

Vir Biotechnology Provides Corporate Update and Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

On August 6, 2025 Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (Nasdaq: VIR), reported a corporate update and provided financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 (Press release, Vir Biotechnology, AUG 6, 2025, View Source [SID1234654891]).

"We achieved several important milestones across our pipeline, reflecting our commitment to our mission of powering the immune system to transform lives," said Marianne De Backer, Chief Executive Officer, Vir Biotechnology. "The initiation of our Phase 1 study of PRO-XTEN dual-masked VIR-5525 positions us to potentially address the shortcomings of available treatment options across multiple EGFR-expressing solid tumors. The universal PRO-XTEN masking technology represents a next-generation approach to cancer treatment, designed to expand the therapeutic index of T-cell engagers. We now have three clinical trials of PRO-XTEN masked T-cell engagers ongoing, supported by promising early clinical data for VIR-5818 and VIR-5500, and we are leveraging insights from our ongoing programs to efficiently execute clinical trials and expand our oncology portfolio. Additionally, our ECLIPSE registrational program is now fully underway, and we are advancing toward a potentially highly effective, well-tolerated and convenient treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis delta."

Pipeline Programs

Chronic Hepatitis Delta (CHD)

ECLIPSE registrational program is fully underway following enrollment of the first patients in ECLIPSE 2 and ECLIPSE 3.
ECLIPSE 2 will compare the combination of tobevibart and elebsiran to continued bulevirtide monotherapy in participants with CHD who have not achieved undetectable hepatitis delta virus RNA despite bulevirtide treatment.
ECLIPSE 3 will compare the combination of tobevibart and elebsiran to bulevirtide monotherapy in participants with CHD who have not received bulevirtide before.
ECLIPSE 1 and 2 are designed to provide the registrational efficacy and safety data needed for potential submission to global regulatory agencies, including agencies in the U.S. and Europe. ECLIPSE 3 is expected to provide important supportive data to help establish access and reimbursement in key markets.
Solid Tumors

First patient dosed in the Phase 1 clinical study of VIR-5525, the Company’s investigational PRO-XTEN dual-masked T-cell engager (TCE) targeting EGFR.
VIR-5525 will be evaluated for the treatment of a variety of EGFR-expressing solid tumors in areas of high unmet need such as non-small cell lung cancer, colorectal cancer, head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
The Company’s Phase 1 clinical trial of PRO-XTEN masked VIR-5818 evaluates the TCE in multiple tumor types, including metastatic breast cancer and metastatic colorectal cancer.
VIR-5818 is the only dual-masked HER2-targeting TCE in clinical development.
The Company has completed monotherapy dose escalation and is analyzing the data while continuing to dose escalate VIR-5818 in combination with pembrolizumab.
VIR-5500, the only dual-masked PSMA-targeting TCE in clinical trials, continues to advance through dose escalation.
The Company received Investigational New Drug clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to evaluate VIR-5500 in combination with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors for earlier lines of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer treatment, unlocking new opportunities to transform patient lives.
Early Phase 1 data for VIR-5818 and VIR-5500 reported in January 2025 showed promising safety profiles for both clinical candidates, with maximum tolerated dose not yet reached, no dose-limiting cytokine release syndrome (CRS) observed and no CRS greater than grade 2 reported.
Initial clinical data demonstrate the PRO-XTEN masking technology’s potential to minimize systemic toxicity while enabling selective killing of cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment, minimizing CRS and expanding the therapeutic index compared to traditional therapeutic approaches.
Preclinical Pipeline Candidates

Leveraging its immune system expertise and platform strengths, the Company continues to progress multiple undisclosed PRO-XTEN dual-masked TCEs against clinically validated targets with potential applications across a number of solid tumors. These preclinical candidates integrate the PRO-XTEN masking technology with novel TCEs discovered and engineered using the Company’s antibody discovery platform and proprietary dAIsY (data AI structure and antibody) AI engine.
The Company is advancing its broadly neutralizing antibody development candidate for the treatment of HIV in collaboration with the Gates Foundation.
Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments: As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $892.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, representing a decrease of approximately $127.7 million during the second quarter of 2025. The current quarter decrease includes $50.5 million in milestone payments related to the initiation of the ECLIPSE Phase 3 registrational program, which were previously expensed in prior quarters.

In addition to the $892.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, the Company had $95.2 million in restricted cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2025. This included a $75.0 million milestone payment due to the former shareholders of Amunix Pharmaceuticals, Inc., upon VIR-5525 achieving "first in human dosing," which occurred in July 2025.

Revenues: Total revenues for the second quarter of 2025 were $1.2 million compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2024.

Cost of Revenue: The change in cost of revenue for the second quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024 was nominal.

Research and Development Expenses (R&D): R&D expenses for the second quarter of 2025 were $97.5 million, which included $6.9 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared to $105.1 million for the same period in 2024, which included $13.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The decrease was primarily driven by cost savings from previously announced restructuring initiatives, partially offset by higher clinical expenses from the initiation of our ECLIPSE registrational program for CHD, progression of our oncology programs and an increase in the fair value of contingent payment obligations for our CHD program.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A): SG&A expenses for the second quarter of 2025 were $22.3 million, which included $5.5 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense, compared to $30.3 million for the same period in 2024, which included $9.1 million of non-cash stock-based compensation expense. The decrease was largely due to efficiencies and cost savings from previously announced restructuring initiatives.

Restructuring, Long-Lived Assets Impairment and Related Charges, Net: Restructuring, long-lived assets impairment and related charges, net for the second quarter of 2025 was $(0.2) million compared to $26.3 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was due to the fact that our restructuring initiatives implemented in prior years were substantially completed by the end of 2024.

Other Income: Other income for the second quarter of 2025 was $7.6 million compared to $18.7 million for the same period in 2024. The decrease was primarily driven by lower interest income.

(Provision for) Benefit from Income Taxes: The provision for income taxes for the second quarter of 2025 was nominal.

Net Loss: Net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $111.0 million, or $0.80 per share, basic and diluted, compared to a net loss of $138.4 million, or $1.02 per share, basic and diluted for the same period in 2024.

2025 Financial Guidance

Based on current operating plans, the Company expects its cash, cash equivalents and investments to fund operations into mid-2027.

Conference Call

Vir Biotechnology will host a conference call to discuss the second quarter results at 1:30 p.m. PT / 4:30 p.m. ET today. A live webcast will be available on View Source and will be archived for 30 days.

About VIR-5818, VIR-5500, VIR-5525

VIR-5818, VIR-5500 and VIR-5525 are investigational, clinical candidates currently being evaluated for the treatment of solid tumors. These assets leverage the PRO-XTEN masking technology with three different T-cell engagers (TCEs) targeting HER2, PSMA and EGFR, respectively.

TCEs are powerful anti-tumor agents that can direct the immune system, specifically T-cells, to destroy cancer cells. The PRO-XTEN masking technology is designed to keep the TCEs inactive (or masked) until they reach the tumor microenvironment, where tumor-specific proteases cleave off the mask and activate the TCEs, leading to killing of cancer cells. By driving the activity exclusively to the tumor microenvironment, we aim to circumvent the traditionally high toxicity associated with TCEs and increase their efficacy and tolerability. Additionally, the mask is designed to help drug candidates stay in the bloodstream longer in their inactive form, allowing them to better reach the site of action and potentially allowing less frequent dosing regimens for patients and clinicians.

About Tobevibart and Elebsiran

Tobevibart is an investigational broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody targeting the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg). It is designed to inhibit the entry of hepatitis B and hepatitis delta viruses into hepatocytes and to reduce the level of circulating viral and subviral particles in the blood. Tobevibart was identified using Vir Biotechnology’s proprietary monoclonal antibody discovery platform. The Fc domain has been engineered to increase immune engagement and clearance of HBsAg immune complexes and incorporates Xencor’s Xtend technology to extend half-life. Tobevibart is administered subcutaneously, and it is currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis delta.

Elebsiran is an investigational hepatitis B virus-targeting small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) discovered by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc. It is designed to degrade hepatitis B virus RNA transcripts and limit the production of hepatitis B surface antigen. Current data indicate that it has the potential to have direct antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus and hepatitis delta virus. Elebsiran is administered subcutaneously, and it is currently in clinical development for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis delta.