Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

701 Veterans Circle

Warminster, Pennsylvania 18974

January 8, 2020

VIA EDGAR

U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

Division of Corporation Finance

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, D.C. 20549

Re:Arbutus Biopharma Corporation

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Filed December 23, 2019

File No. 333-235674

Request for Acceleration of Effective Date

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Pursuant to Rule 461 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Arbutus Biopharma Corporation hereby requests that the Securities and Exchange Commission take appropriate action to cause the above-referenced Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) to become effective on January 10, 2020, at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, or as soon thereafter as is practicable.

Once the Registration Statement has been declared effective, please orally confirm that event with Steve Abrams of Hogan Lovells US LLP at (267) 675-4671.

ARBUTUS BIOPHARMA CORPORATION

By: /s/ David C. Hastings

Name: David C. Hastings

Title: Chief Financial Officer