Insider Trading February 18, 2026

Vir Biotechnology SVP Executes Rule 10b5-1 Sale; Company Posts Strong Phase 2 Hepatitis Delta Data and Strikes Norgine Deal

Brent Sabatini discloses automatic sale to cover RSU tax withholding as Vir advances hepatitis delta program with SOLSTICE results and a strategic European commercialization pact

By Jordan Park VIR
Vir Biotechnology SVP Executes Rule 10b5-1 Sale; Company Posts Strong Phase 2 Hepatitis Delta Data and Strikes Norgine Deal
VIR

Brent Sabatini, SVP and Chief Accounting Officer at Vir Biotechnology (VIR), completed an automatic sale of 1,530 shares on February 13, 2026, under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan to satisfy tax withholding tied to restricted stock unit vesting. The transaction totaled $11,918 at $7.79 per share, leaving Sabatini with 47,872 shares. Separately, Vir reported encouraging Phase 2 SOLSTICE results for its hepatitis delta combination therapy and agreed to a commercialization partnership with Norgine valued at roughly €550 million. H.C. Wainwright maintained a Buy rating and a $15.00 price target following these developments.

Key Points

  • Insider sale: Brent Sabatini sold 1,530 shares on February 13, 2026 at $7.79 per share for $11,918, and now holds 47,872 shares.
  • Clinical progress: The SOLSTICE Phase 2 combination of tobevibart and elebsiran achieved undetectable HDV RNA in 88% of participants at 96 weeks, outperforming antibody monotherapy.
  • Commercial and financials: Vir granted Norgine exclusive commercialization rights for Europe, Australia and New Zealand in a deal worth about 550 million, including 55 million upfront and up to 495 million in milestone payments, plus tiered royalties.

Brent Sabatini, who serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Vir Biotechnology (NASDAQ: VIR), executed a sale of 1,530 common shares on February 13, 2026. The shares were transacted at $7.79 apiece for aggregate proceeds of $11,918. Following the disposition, Sabatini's direct holdings in Vir amount to 47,872 shares.

The sale was carried out automatically under a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Company filings indicate the purpose of the transaction was to satisfy tax withholding obligations triggered by the vesting of restricted stock units (RSUs).


In parallel with the insider transaction, Vir Biotechnology disclosed clinical and commercial developments related to its hepatitis delta program. The company reported Phase 2 SOLSTICE results showing that the combination of tobevibart and elebsiran produced undetectable hepatitis delta virus (HDV) RNA in 88% of participants at 96 weeks, a performance that the company says outpaced antibody monotherapy in the trial.

Vir also announced a strategic collaboration with Norgine that grants the partner exclusive rights to commercialize the regimen in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The agreement is structured with a total potential value of approximately 550 million, comprising an upfront payment of 55 million and up to 495 million tied to milestone achievements. The deal further includes tiered royalties on net sales ranging from the mid-teens to the high-twenties percent.

Following the trial readout and the licensing transaction, H.C. Wainwright reiterated its Buy rating on Vir Biotechnology and left its price target at $15.00. Together, the clinical outcome, the regional commercialization pact, and the analyst endorsement underscore forward momentum for Vir's hepatitis delta program as presented in company disclosures.

While the insider sale was an automatic execution to meet tax obligations associated with RSU vesting, the firm-level developments reflect activity across clinical, commercial and analyst channels. The sale itself did not, according to the filing, represent a discretionary disposal outside the parameters of the established 10b5-1 plan.


Summary of reported items:

  • Insider transaction: Brent Sabatini sold 1,530 shares at $7.79 on February 13, 2026 for $11,918; post-sale ownership is 47,872 shares.
  • Sale mechanism: Executed under a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan to cover tax withholding for vested RSUs.
  • Clinical update: SOLSTICE Phase 2 trial showing 88% undetectable HDV RNA at 96 weeks for the tobevibart plus elebsiran combination versus antibody monotherapy.
  • Commercial agreement: Norgine granted exclusive commercialization rights in Europe, Australia and New Zealand - deal valued at ~550 million with 55 million upfront and up to 495 million in milestones, plus tiered royalties.
  • Analyst action: H.C. Wainwright reiterated Buy with a $15.00 price target.

Risks

  • Milestone payments in the Norgine agreement are contingent on future achievements - the up to 495 million in payments are not guaranteed and depend on meeting specified milestones (impacts biotech and pharmaceutical commercial finance).
  • Royalties are tiered and tied to net sales performance, so realized revenue to Vir is dependent on future commercial uptake in the licensed territories (impacts pharmaceutical revenue and commercialization planning).
  • The insider sale was executed under a Rule 10b5-1 plan to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to RSU vesting, indicating the transaction was automatic rather than an indication of voluntary, discretionary insider selling (impacts perceptions in capital markets).

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