Shares of Vir Biotechnology Inc. gained 0.6% in trading on Thursday after the company said it started an open-label Phase 2 clinical trial for its experimental hepatitis B treatment. The study combines two investigational therapies with the aim of developing what Vir calls a "functional cure." It expects to enroll 90 adult patients with chronic hepatitis B infections. Vir's stock is up 31.6% this year, while the broader S&P 500 has gained 16.4%.
Market Pulse Stories are Rapid-fire, short news bursts on stocks and markets as they move. Visit MarketWatch.com for more information on this news.
