Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) Announces Earnings Results, Beats Estimates By $0.11 EPS

Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ:VIR) posted its earnings results on Monday. The company reported ($0.31) earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of ($0.42) by $0.11, Zacks reports. The company had revenue of $64.07 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $19.91 million. Vir Biotechnology had a negative return on equity of 50.76% and a negative net margin of 2,963.54%.Vir Biotechnology’s revenue was up 417.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned ($0.76) earnings per share.

Here are the key takeaways from Vir Biotechnology’s conference call:

• Strategic Astellas collaboration provides immediate capital and global reach — Vir will receive ~$335M in upfront/near-term payments (including $240M cash and $75M equity) and up to $1.7 billion of total potential consideration while sharing development costs and U.S. profits 50/50.
• Phase I data for VIR-5500 showed a favorable safety profile with no dose‑limiting toxicities and limited, mostly low‑grade cytokine release syndrome at higher doses, alongside deep, dose‑dependent antitumor activity (PSA50 in 82%, >50% PSA90, ~33% PSA99 and a 45% ORR in RECIST‑evaluable patients at ≥3,000 µg/kg).
• Company plans rapid clinical advancement — go‑forward dose in the ~3,000–3,500 µg/kg range, expansion cohorts start in Q2 2026 (late‑line mCRPC, earlier‑line combinations and mHSPC), and positioning to enter phase III in 2027 with Astellas support.
• Financial discipline improved in 2025 (R&D down 10%, SG&A down 23%, net loss narrowed) and combined with current cash (~$782M at start of 2026 plus Astellas consideration) Vir expects runway into Q2 2028, reducing near‑term financing pressure.
• Risks remain — the Astellas deal is subject to HSR clearance, the dataset is still small/early with limited follow‑up, and there were treatment‑related adverse events (12% grade ≥3 TRAEs, two discontinuations including treatment‑related blurred vision and a prior isolated grade 3 CRS), which could affect safety perceptions and regulatory review.

Vir Biotechnology Stock Down 1.7%

VIR stock opened at $7.43 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $1.03 billion, a PE ratio of -2.06 and a beta of 1.69. Vir Biotechnology has a 52 week low of $4.16 and a 52 week high of $9.84. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $6.74 and a 200 day moving average of $5.95.

Key Vir Biotechnology News

Here are the key news stories impacting Vir Biotechnology this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Vir announced a global collaboration with Astellas to co‑develop and co‑commercialize VIR‑5500, receiving $335M upfront/near‑term and eligibility for up to $1.37B more plus tiered royalties; Astellas will lead ex‑US commercialization and Vir splits U.S. profit/loss 50/50 — a transformational partnership that de‑risks development and provides near‑term cash. Astellas and Vir Biotechnology Announce Global Strategic Collaboration
• Positive Sentiment: Updated Phase 1 data for VIR‑5500 show the candidate is well tolerated with encouraging activity signals in heavily pretreated metastatic castration‑resistant prostate cancer — clinical data that supports the Astellas valuation and buyer interest. Vir Biotechnology Reports Positive Updated Phase 1 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Financials: Q4 results beat expectations — EPS loss of $0.31 vs. a $0.42 consensus loss and revenue of $64.1M (well above estimates). The revenue jump (up ~418% y/y) and the earnings beat provided an additional catalyst for the stock re‑rating. Vir Biotechnology Reports Q4 Loss, Beats Revenue Estimates
• Positive Sentiment: Market reaction and coverage: multiple outlets report a large after‑hours/pre‑market surge (reported +58% to +65% in some outlets) driven by the Astellas deal and the Phase‑1 update — increased investor attention/liquidity can amplify moves. What’s Happening With VIR Stock?
• Neutral Sentiment: Management commentary and details are available in the company’s earnings call and transcript; investors should review the call/slides for milestones, timing, and cash‑use guidance discussed on the call. Vir Biotechnology (VIR) Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Profitability risk remains material: Vir reported a very negative net margin and negative ROE, and analysts still expect substantial full‑year losses — the company is being re‑rated on pipeline value rather than current earnings. Vir Biotechnology earnings: Losses persist

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, major shareholder Endurance (Cayman) Ltd Svf sold 191,854 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $5.98, for a total transaction of $1,147,286.92. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 13,728,924 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $82,098,965.52. The trade was a 1.38% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, Director Vicki L. Sato sold 22,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $7.71, for a total value of $169,620.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director owned 1,144,391 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $8,823,254.61. This trade represents a 1.89% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 448,815 shares of company stock valued at $2,804,824. Corporate insiders own 16.00% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Vir Biotechnology

Institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Rhumbline Advisers boosted its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 1.0% in the 2nd quarter. Rhumbline Advisers now owns 228,949 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,154,000 after acquiring an additional 2,300 shares during the last quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC boosted its holdings in Vir Biotechnology by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Corient Private Wealth LLC now owns 262,211 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,572,000 after purchasing an additional 2,515 shares during the last quarter. Focus Partners Wealth grew its position in Vir Biotechnology by 15.3% during the 1st quarter. Focus Partners Wealth now owns 19,317 shares of the company’s stock worth $125,000 after purchasing an additional 2,566 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLC raised its stake in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 7.2% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 38,750 shares of the company’s stock valued at $234,000 after buying an additional 2,600 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG lifted its holdings in shares of Vir Biotechnology by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 206,222 shares of the company’s stock valued at $1,244,000 after buying an additional 3,118 shares during the period. 65.32% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on VIR shares. HC Wainwright reissued a “buy” rating and issued a $15.00 price target on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Tuesday, December 30th. Raymond James Financial raised shares of Vir Biotechnology from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Barclays set a $26.00 price objective on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Tuesday, February 17th. Needham & Company LLC reissued a “buy” rating and set a $14.00 target price on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research report on Monday, February 9th. Finally, Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d-)” rating on shares of Vir Biotechnology in a research note on Monday, December 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have issued a Buy rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Vir Biotechnology presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $16.29.

Vir Biotechnology Company Profile

Vir Biotechnology, Inc is a clinical‐stage immunology company dedicated to developing therapies that prevent and treat serious infectious diseases. The company leverages a suite of proprietary technology platforms—ranging from antibody isolation and screening tools to cell‐based assays and bioinformatics—to identify and advance antiviral and antibacterial candidates. Its scientific approach centers on harnessing the human immune system through monoclonal antibodies and immunomodulatory agents.

The company’s pipeline includes product candidates targeting influenza A, COVID‐19, HIV, hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.