# EDGAR Filing Document

**Accession Number:** 0001447028
**File Stem:** 0001447028-26-000027
**Filing Date:** 2026-6
**Character Count:** 38605
**Document Hash:** 4abbf9f5ca09cacb5c2128702043672a
**Contains OCR:** False
**Source Format:** 

## Filing Content

## Filing Summary
**0001447028-26-000027.hdr.sgml**: 20260622

**ACCESSION NUMBER**: 0001447028-26-000027

**CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE**: S-8

**PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT**: 16

**REFERENCES 429**: 333-212115

**REFERENCES 429**: 333-239407

**REFERENCES 429**: 333-258494

**REFERENCES 429**: 333-266527

**REFERENCES 429**: 333-273647

**FILED AS OF DATE**: 20260605

**DATE AS OF CHANGE**: 20260605

**EFFECTIVENESS DATE**: 20260605

**FILER**: 

**COMPANY DATA:**
- **COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:** Arbutus Biopharma Corp
- **CENTRAL INDEX KEY:** 0001447028
- **STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:** PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
- **ORGANIZATION NAME:** 03 Life Sciences
- **EIN:** 980597776
- **STATE OF INCORPORATION:** A1
- **FISCAL YEAR END:** 1231

**FILING VALUES:**
- **FORM TYPE:** S-8
- **SEC ACT:** 1933 Act
- **SEC FILE NUMBER:** 333-296539
- **FILM NUMBER:** 261069052

**BUSINESS ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 701 VETERANS CIRCLE
- **CITY:** WARMINSTER
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 18974
- **BUSINESS PHONE:** 604-419-3200

**MAIL ADDRESS:**
- **STREET 1:** 701 VETERANS CIRCLE
- **CITY:** WARMINSTER
- **STATE:** PA
- **ZIP:** 18974

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** TEKMIRA PHARMACEUTICALS Corp
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20110607

**FORMER COMPANY:**
- **FORMER CONFORMED NAME:** TEKMIRA PHARMACEUTICALS CORP
- **DATE OF NAME CHANGE:** 20081003

**As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 5, 2026**

**Registration No. 333-**

**UNITED STATES**

**SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION**

**Washington, D.C. 20549**

**FORM S-8**

**REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

***UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933***

**Arbutus Biopharma Corporation**

**(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **British Columbia, Canada** | **98-0597776** |
| **(State or other jurisdiction of**<br>**incorporation or organization)** | **(I.R.S. Employer**<br>**Identification No.)** |
| **701 Veterans Circle**<br>**Warminster, Pennsylvania** | **18974** |
| **(Address of Principal Executive Offices)** | **(Zip Code)** |

---

**Arbutus Biopharma Corporation 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan**

 **(Full title of the plan)**

**Tuan Nguyen**

**Chief Financial Officer**

**Arbutus Biopharma Corporation**

**701 Veterans Circle**

**Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974**

**(Name and address of agent for service)**

**(267) 469-0914**

**(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)**

**With Copies to:**

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Steven J. Abrams, Esq.**<br>**Stephen M. Nicolai, Esq.**<br>**Hogan Lovells US LLP**<br>**1735 Market Street, 23rd Floor**<br>**Philadelphia, PA 19103**<br>**(267) 675-4600** | **Andrew Sung**<br>**General Counsel**<br>**Arbutus Biopharma Corporation**<br>**701 Veterans Circle**<br>**Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974**<br>**(267) 469-0914** | **R. Hector MacKay-Dunn, K.C.**<br>**Farris LLP**<br>**2500-700 West Georgia Street**<br>**Vancouver, British Columbia**<br>**Canada V7Y 1B3**<br>**(604) 684-9151** |

---

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer Accelerated filer Non-accelerated filer Smaller reporting company Emerging growth company <br> ☐ ☐ ☒ ☒ ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

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**EXPLANATORY NOTE**

This registration statement on Form S-8 (this "Registration Statement") is being filed by Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (the "Registrant") to register 16,300,000 common shares of the Registrant, without par value (the "Common Shares"), reserved for issuance under the Arbutus Biopharma Corporation 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan (the "2026 Plan"). The Board of Directors of the Registrant approved the 2026 Plan on April 10, 2026, and the Registrant's shareholders approved the 2026 Plan at the Registrant's 2026 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders on May 26, 2026.

**PART I**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS**

As permitted by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 is omitted from this Registration Statement. The documents containing the information specified in Part I of Form S-8 will be delivered to the participants in the plan covered by this Registration Statement as required by Rule 428(b)(1) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

**PART II**

**INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT**

**Item 3.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Incorporation of Documents by Reference.**

The following documents of the Registrant filed with the Commission are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement as of their respective dates:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(a)the Registrant's <u>[Annual Report on Form 10-K](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000017/abus-20251231.htm)</u> for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Commission on March 23, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(b)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Registrant's <u>[Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000021/abus-20260331.htm)</u> for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2026, filed with the Commission on May 13, 2026;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(c)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Registrant's <u>[Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000114036126014623/ny20065142x1_def14a.htm)</u> filed with the Commission on April 14, 2026, to the extent incorporated by reference into the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(d)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K (other than portions thereof furnished under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K and exhibits accompanying such reports that are related to such items) filed with the Commission on <u>[January 16, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184326000303/f8k_011626.htm)</u>, <u>[February 6, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184326000676/f8k_020626.htm)</u>, <u>[February 20, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184326000979/f8k_021926.htm)</u>, <u>[March 3, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184326001299/f8k_030326.htm)</u>, <u>[April 15, 2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000117184326002458/f8k_041426.htm)</u>, and <u>[May 27,](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000024/abus-20260526.htm)[2026](https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000024/abus-20260526.htm)</u>; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(e)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;the description of the Common Shares contained in the Registrant's <u>[Registration Statement on Form 8-A](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000119312510247803/d8a12b.htm)</u> (File No. 001-34949) filed with the Commission on November 4, 2010, as updated by <u>[Exhibit 4.1](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000017/exhibit41descriptionofsecu.htm)</u> to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All reports and other documents filed by the Registrant after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), but prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference herein and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and documents, except for the documents and reports, or portions thereof, that are "furnished" rather than filed with the Commission.

For the purposes of this Registration Statement, any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or

------

supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.

**Item 4.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Description of Securities.**

Not applicable.

**Item 5.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.** 

Not applicable.

**Item 6.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Indemnification of Directors and Officers.**

The Registrant is subject to the provisions of Part 5, Division 5 of the British Columbia Business Corporations Act (the "Act").

Under Section 160 of the Act, the Registrant may, subject to Section 163 of the Act, do one or both of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(1)indemnify an individual who:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• is or was a director or officer of the Registrant;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• is or was a director or officer of another corporation (i) at a time when such corporation is or was an affiliate of the Registrant; or (ii) at the Registrant's request, or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• at the Registrant's request, is or was, or holds or held a position equivalent to that of, a director or officer of a partnership, trust, joint venture or other unincorporated entity,

and includes, subject to certain limited exceptions, the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of that individual (collectively, an "eligible party"), against all eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable; and

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;(2) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;after final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding, where:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "eligible penalty" means a judgment, penalty or fine awarded or imposed in, or an amount paid in settlement of, an eligible proceeding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "eligible proceeding" means a proceeding in which an eligible party or any of the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party, by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Registrant or an associated corporation (a) is or may be joined as a party, or (b) is or may be liable for or in respect of a judgment, penalty or fine in, or expenses related to, the proceeding.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• "proceeding" includes any legal proceeding or investigative action, whether current, threatened, pending or completed.

Under Section 161 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of that proceeding if the eligible party (a) has not been reimbursed for those expenses, and (b) is wholly successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the outcome of the proceeding or is substantially successful on the merits in the outcome of the proceeding.

Under Section 162 of the Act, and subject to Section 163 of the Act, the Registrant may pay, as they are incurred in advance of the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by an eligible party in respect of the proceeding, provided that the Registrant must not make such payments unless the Registrant first receives from

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;3

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the eligible party a written undertaking that, if it is ultimately determined that the payment of expenses is prohibited under Section 163 of the Act, the eligible party will repay the amounts advanced.

Under Section 163 of the Act, the Registrant must not indemnify an eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable or pay the expenses of an eligible party in respect of that proceeding under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, if any of the following circumstances apply:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if the indemnity or payment is made under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the agreement to indemnify or pay expenses was made, the Registrant was prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by the Registrant's Notice of Articles and Articles, as amended (the "Articles");

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if the indemnity or payment is made otherwise than under an earlier agreement to indemnify or pay expenses and, at the time that the indemnity or payment is made, the Registrant is prohibited from giving the indemnity or paying the expenses by the Articles;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• if, in relation to the subject matter of the eligible proceeding, the eligible party did not act honestly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Registrant or the associated corporation, as the case may be; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• in the case of an eligible proceeding other than a civil proceeding, if the eligible party did not have reasonable grounds for believing that the eligible party's conduct in respect of which the proceeding was brought was lawful.

If an eligible proceeding is brought against an eligible party by or on behalf of the Registrant or by or on behalf of an associated corporation, the Registrant must not either indemnify the eligible party against eligible penalties to which the eligible party is or may be liable, or pay the expenses of the eligible party under Sections 160, 161 or 162 of the Act, as the case may be, in respect of the proceeding.

Under Section 164 of the Act, and despite any other provision of Part 5, Division 5 of the Act and whether or not payment of expenses or indemnification has been sought, authorized or declined under Part 5, Division 5 of the Act, on application of the Registrant or an eligible party, the Supreme Court of British Columbia may do one or more of the following:

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• order the Registrant to indemnify an eligible party against any liability incurred by the eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• order the Registrant to pay some or all of the expenses incurred by an eligible party in respect of an eligible proceeding;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• order the enforcement of, or payment under, an agreement of indemnification entered into by the Registrant;

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• order the Registrant to pay some or all of the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by any person in obtaining an order under Section 164 of the Act; or

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;• make any other order the court considers appropriate.

Section 165 of the Act provides that the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible party or the heirs and personal or other legal representatives of the eligible party against any liability that may be incurred by reason of the eligible party being or having been a director or officer of, or holding or having held a position equivalent to that of a director or officer of, the Registrant or an associated corporation.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;4

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Under the Articles, and subject to the Act, the Registrant must indemnify an eligible party and his or her heirs and legal personal representatives against all eligible penalties to which such person is or may be liable, and the Registrant must, after the final disposition of an eligible proceeding, pay the expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such person in respect of that proceeding. Each eligible party is deemed to have contracted with the Registrant on the terms of the indemnity contained in the Articles.

Under the Articles, and subject to the Act, the Registrant may agree to indemnify and may indemnify any person (including an eligible party) against eligible penalties and pay expenses incurred in connection with the performance of services by that person for the Registrant.

Under the Articles, and subject to the Act, the Registrant may advance expenses to an eligible party.

Pursuant to the Articles, the failure of an eligible party to comply with the Act or the Articles does not, of itself, invalidate any indemnity to which he or she is entitled under the Articles.

Under the Articles, the Registrant may purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of an eligible person (or his or her heirs or legal personal representatives) against any liability incurred by him or her as a director, officer or person who holds or held such equivalent position.

The Registrant has entered into indemnity agreements with its directors and executive officers. In general, these agreements provide that the Registrant will indemnify the director or executive officer for claims arising in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Registrant or in connection with their service at the Registrant's request for another corporation or entity. The indemnity agreements also provide for procedures that will apply in the event that a director or executive officer makes a claim for indemnification.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, the Registrant has been informed that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is therefore unenforceable.

**Item 7.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exemption from Registration Claimed.**

Not applicable.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;5

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**Item 8.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Exhibits.**

---

| | |
|:---|:---|
| **Exhibit<br>Number** | **<br>Description** |
| 4.1 | <u>[Notice of Articles and Articles of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the Commission on March 16, 2018).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000162828018003276/exhibit31_articlesandartic.htm)</u> |
| 4.2 | <u>[Amendment to Articles of the Registrant (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018, filed with the Commission on November 7, 2018).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000162828018013909/exhibit31amendmenttoarticl.htm)</u> |
| 4.3 | <u>[Arbutus Biopharma Corporation 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 27, 2026).](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1447028/000144702826000024/arbutus2026omnibussharea.htm)</u> |
| 5.1\* | <u>[Opinion of Farris LLP.](a2026s-8farrisconsentex51.htm)</u> |
| 23.1\* | <u>[Consent of Ernst and Young, LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.](a2026s-8eyconsentex231.htm)</u> |
| 23.2\* | <u>[Consent of Farris LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).](a2026s-8farrisconsentex51.htm)</u> |
| 24.1 | <u>[Power of Attorney (included in signature page to this Registration Statement).](#i530952eb2ca54ceba1145bb09dcc0edf_98)</u> |
| 107\* | <u>[Filing Fee Table.](exfilingfees.htm)</u> |

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\*Filed herewith.

**Item 9.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Undertakings.**

 (a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

 (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

 (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Filing Fee Tables" or "Calculation of Registration Fee" table, as applicable, in the effective registration statement; and

 (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement;

*provided, however*, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) of this section do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial *bona fide* offering thereof.

 (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;6

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(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial *bona fide* offering thereof.

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;7

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**SIGNATURES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the Township of Warminster, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on June 5, 2026.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| **ARBUTUS BIOPHARMA CORPORATION** | **ARBUTUS BIOPHARMA CORPORATION** |
| By: | /s/ Lindsay Androski |
|  | Lindsay Androski |
|  | President and Chief Executive Officer |

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**POWER OF ATTORNEY**

We, the undersigned officers and directors of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Lindsay Androski and Tuan Nguyen, and each of them singly, our true and lawful attorneys with full power to them, and each of them singly, to sign for us and in our names in the capacities indicated below, the registration statement on Form S-8 filed herewith and any and all subsequent amendments to said registration statement, and generally to do all such things in our names and on our behalf in our capacities as officers and directors to enable Arbutus Biopharma Corporation to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming our signatures as they may be signed by our said attorneys, or any of them, to said registration statement and any and all amendments thereto.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

---

| | | |
|:---|:---|:---|
| **Signature** | **Title** | **Date** |
| /s/ Lindsay Androski | President and Chief Executive Officer and Director | June 5, 2026 |
| Lindsay Androski | (Principal Executive Officer) |  |
| /s/ Tuan Nguyen | Chief Financial Officer | June 5, 2026 |
| Tuan Nguyen | (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) |  |
| /s/ Robert Alan Beardsley | Chairman | June 5, 2026 |
| Robert Alan Beardsley |  |  |
| /s/ Joseph Bishop | Director | June 5, 2026 |
| Joseph Bishop |  |  |
| /s/ Matthew Gline | Director | June 5, 2026 |
| Matthew Gline |  |  |
| /s/ Dr. Roger Sawhney | Director | June 5, 2026 |
| Dr. Roger Sawhney |  |  |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;8

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**SIGNATURE OF AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE IN THE UNITED STATES**

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the undersigned, the duly authorized representative in the United States of the Registrant, has signed this Registration Statement on June 5, 2026.

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| | |
|:---|:---|
| By: | /s/ Lindsay Androski |
|  | Lindsay Androski |
|  | President and Chief Executive Officer |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;9

## Ex-Filing

?xml version='1.0' encoding='ASCII'? EX-FILING FEES

---

| |
|:---|
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Calculation of Filing Fee Tables**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **S-8**  |
| &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Arbutus Biopharma Corp**  |

---

---

| | | | | | | | | |
|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|:---|
| | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Type**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Security Class Title**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Calculation Rule**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount Registered**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Maximum Aggregate Offering Price**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Fee Rate**  | &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Amount of Registration Fee**  |
| 1 | Equity | Common Shares, without par value, reserved for issuance under the Arbutus Biopharma Corporation 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan | Other | 16300000 | $4.29 | $69927000.00 | 0.0001381 | $9656.92 |
| Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: | Total Offering Amounts: |  | $69927000.00  |  | $9656.92  |
| Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  | Total Fee Offsets:  |  |  |  | $0.00  |
| Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  | Net Fee Due:  |  |  |  | $9656.92  |

---

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; **Offering Note** <br>

&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <sup>1</sup> (a) In accordance with Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), this registration statement shall be deemed to cover any additional securities that may from time to time be offered or issued to prevent dilution resulting from share splits, share dividends or similar transactions. (b) The Amount Registered represents 16,300,000 common shares, without par value (the "Common Shares"), of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (the "Registrant") available for issuance under the Arbutus Biopharma Corporation 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan, which Plan was approved by the Registrant's shareholders at the Registrant's 2026 Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders on May 26, 2026. (c) The proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price per unit is estimated in accordance with Rule 457(c) and (h) of the Securities Act solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee based on the average of the high and low sales price per Common Share as reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on June 3, 2026, which date is a date within five business days of the filing of this registration statement.

---

| |
|:---|
| |
| **Rule 457(p)** |
| Fee Offset Claims |
| Fee Offset Sources |

---

## Exhibit 5.1

**Exhibit 5.1**

![imagea.jpg](imagea.jpg)

June 5, 2026

Board of Directors

Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

701 Veterans Circle

Warminster, PA 18974

Dear Sirs/Mesdames:

Re: Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

We have acted as counsel for Arbutus Biopharma Corporation (the "**Company**"), a company existing under the *Business Corporations Act* (British Columbia), and have been asked to give this opinion in connection with the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the "**Registration Statement**") covering 16,300,000 common shares in the capital of the Company, without par value (the "**Shares**"), issuable pursuant to the Company's 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan, as supplemented and amended (the "**2026 Plan**"). This opinion letter is furnished to you at your request to enable you to fulfill the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K, 17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(5), in connection with the Registration Statement.

In connection with the opinions hereinafter expressed, we have conducted or caused to be conducted such searches as we have considered necessary, advisable or relevant. We have also prepared or examined all such documents, corporate records of the Company, certificates of officers of the Company, resolutions of the board of directors of the Company and the shareholders of the Company, and other materials as we consider advisable or relevant. We have also examined such statutes, corporate and public records and other documents including certificates of public officials, and considered such matters of law, as we have deemed necessary as a basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed.

For the purposes of the opinions set for below, we have assumed, with respect to all documents examined by us, the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity to authentic or original documents of all actual documents submitted to us as certified, conformed, telecopied or photostatic copies.

We are qualified to express opinions only with respect to the laws of the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein. We express no opinion on the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Province of British Columbia and the federal laws of Canada applicable therein, all as at the date hereof.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the Shares have been duly authorized for issuance and, when issued in accordance with the terms of the 2026 Plan, will be validly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable common shares of the Company.

We hereby consent to the use of our name in the Registration Statement relating to the Shares and to the filing, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, of this opinion.

------

![image1a.jpg](image1a.jpg)

This opinion is given solely in connection with the transactions referred to herein, and this opinion is limited to the matters expressly set forth herein, and no opinion has been implied, or may be inferred, beyond the matters expressly stated. This opinion speaks only as to law and facts in effect or existing as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation or responsibility to update or supplement this opinion to reflect any facts or circumstances that may hereafter come to our attention or any changes in any law that may hereafter occur.

Yours truly,

/s/ FARRIS LLP

![farrisfootera.jpg](farrisfootera.jpg)

## Exhibit 23.1

**Exhibit 23.1**

**Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm**

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8) pertaining to the 2026 Omnibus Share and Incentive Plan of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation of our report dated March 23, 2026 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of Arbutus Biopharma Corporation included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

June 5, 2026

<br>