

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!-- -->
<xsd:schema attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://arbutusbio.com/20160930" xmlns:abus="http://arbutusbio.com/20160930" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:nonnum="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" xmlns:num="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema">
  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-gaap-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-roles/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-roles-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-types/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2016/elts/us-types-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/arcrole/fact-explanatoryFact" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/arcrole/factExplanatory-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/negated-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/net" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/lrr/role/net-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/non-numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/nonNumeric-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/numeric-2009-12-16.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2016/country-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/currency/2016/currency-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2014/dei-2014-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2016-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/exch/2016/exch-2016-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/invest/2013/invest-2013-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/naics/2011/naics-2011-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/sic/2011/sic-2011-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011-01-31" schemaLocation="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2011/stpr-2011-01-31.xsd" />
  <xsd:annotation>
    <xsd:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20160930_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20160930_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20160930_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20160930_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple" />
      <link:roleType id="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities">
        <link:definition>2105100 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDetails">
        <link:definition>2405402 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesTables">
        <link:definition>2305301 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreements" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreements">
        <link:definition>2104100 - Disclosure - Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsDeferredCollaborationsAndContractsRevenueDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsDeferredCollaborationsAndContractsRevenueDetails">
        <link:definition>2404403 - Disclosure - Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements - Deferred Collaborations and Contracts Revenue (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2404404 - Disclosure - Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsRevenueRecognizedUnderCollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsRevenueRecognizedUnderCollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsDetails">
        <link:definition>2404402 - Disclosure - Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements - Revenue Recognized Under Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationsContractsAndLicensingAgreementsTables">
        <link:definition>2304301 - Disclosure - Collaborations, Contracts and Licensing Agreements (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ConcentrationsOfCreditRisk" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ConcentrationsOfCreditRisk">
        <link:definition>2107100 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Credit Risk</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ConcentrationsOfCreditRiskDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ConcentrationsOfCreditRiskDetails">
        <link:definition>2407401 - Disclosure - Concentrations of Credit Risk (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets">
        <link:definition>1001000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical">
        <link:definition>1001501 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CondensedConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementOfStockholdersEquity">
        <link:definition>1003000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlow" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlow">
        <link:definition>1004000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsAndComprehensiveLoss">
        <link:definition>1002000 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ContingenciesAndCommitments" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitments">
        <link:definition>2108100 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ContingenciesAndCommitmentsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ContingenciesAndCommitmentsDetails">
        <link:definition>2408401 - Disclosure - Contingencies and Commitments (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="DocumentAndEntityInformation" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation">
        <link:definition>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwill">
        <link:definition>2103100 - Disclosure - Impairment Evaluations For Intangible Assets and Goodwill</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2403402 - Disclosure - Impairment Evaluations For Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillSummaryOfCarryingValueOfIntangibleAssetsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillSummaryOfCarryingValueOfIntangibleAssetsDetails">
        <link:definition>2403403 - Disclosure - Impairment Evaluations For Intangible Assets and Goodwill - Summary of carrying value of intangible assets (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ImpairmentEvaluationsForIntangibleAssetsAndGoodwillTables">
        <link:definition>2303301 - Disclosure - Impairment Evaluations For Intangible Assets and Goodwill (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="NatureOfBusinessAndFutureOperations" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/NatureOfBusinessAndFutureOperations">
        <link:definition>2101100 - Disclosure - Nature of Business and Future Operations</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapital" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapital">
        <link:definition>2106100 - Disclosure - Share Capital</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2406402 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalStockOptionActivityForLiabilityOptionsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalStockOptionActivityForLiabilityOptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2406404 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Stock Option Activity For Liability Options (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalSummaryOfInformationForLiabilityOptionsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalSummaryOfInformationForLiabilityOptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2406405 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Summary of Information for Liability Options (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalSummaryOfNonVestedLiabilityStockOptionActivityDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalSummaryOfNonVestedLiabilityStockOptionActivityDetails">
        <link:definition>2406406 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Summary of Non-Vested Liability Stock Option Activity (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalTables">
        <link:definition>2306301 - Disclosure - Share Capital (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="ShareCapitalValuationAssumptionsLiabilityOptionsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/ShareCapitalValuationAssumptionsLiabilityOptionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2406403 - Disclosure - Share Capital - Valuation Assumptions Liability Options (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPolicies" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPolicies">
        <link:definition>2102100 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredAtFairValueOnRecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>2402404 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on Recurring Basis (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesChangesInFairValueOfCompanysWarrantsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesChangesInFairValueOfCompanysWarrantsDetails">
        <link:definition>2402405 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Changes in Fair Value of the Company's Warrants (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesChangesInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesChangesInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationDetails">
        <link:definition>2402407 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Changes in Fair Value of Contingent Consideration (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2402403 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Narrative (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies">
        <link:definition>2202201 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesTables">
        <link:definition>2302302 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageBlackScholesOptionPricingAssumptionsAndResultantFairValuesDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantAccountingPoliciesWeightedAverageBlackScholesOptionPricingAssumptionsAndResultantFairValuesDetails">
        <link:definition>2402406 - Disclosure - Significant Accounting Policies - Weighted Average Black-Scholes Option-Pricing Assumptions and the Resultant Fair Values (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType id="SubsequentEvent" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SubsequentEvent">
        <link:definition>2109100 - Disclosure - Subsequent Event</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xsd:appinfo>
  </xsd:annotation>
  <xsd:element id="abus_AccruedContractRevenuePercentage" name="AccruedContractRevenuePercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_AccruedPayrollCurrent" name="AccruedPayrollCurrent" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_AccruedResearchAndDevelopment" name="AccruedResearchAndDevelopment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalCertainFairValueAdjustmentstoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" name="AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalCertainFairValueAdjustmentstoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalReclassificationofEquitytoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" name="AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalReclassificationofEquitytoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ArbitrationWithTheUniversityOfBritishColumbiaMember" name="ArbitrationWithTheUniversityOfBritishColumbiaMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_ArbutusInc.Member" name="ArbutusInc.Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_BlumbergMember" name="BlumbergMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_BlumbergandDrexelMember" name="BlumbergandDrexelMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeinAmountofContingentConsiderationFairValueLiabilityRollForward" name="BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeinAmountofContingentConsiderationFairValueLiabilityRollForward" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ChangesInFairValueOfWarrantsTableTextBlock" name="ChangesInFairValueOfWarrantsTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_CollaborationsAndContractsAbstract" name="CollaborationsAndContractsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_CommonSharesIssuedSubjectToRepurchaseProvisionMember" name="CommonSharesIssuedSubjectToRepurchaseProvisionMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_ContingenciesandCommitmentsLineItems" name="ContingenciesandCommitmentsLineItems" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_ContingenciesandCommitmentsTable" name="ContingenciesandCommitmentsTable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ContractualObligationAmountOfResearchFundingPerYear" name="ContractualObligationAmountOfResearchFundingPerYear" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_CumulativeContributionforProduct" name="CumulativeContributionforProduct" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_CyclophilinDrugCandidateOCB030Member" name="CyclophilinDrugCandidateOCB030Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_CytosMember" name="CytosMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_DicernaMember" name="DicernaMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_DoDMember" name="DoDMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" name="DocumentAndEntityInformationAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_EnantigenMember" name="EnantigenMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisRollForward" name="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisRollForward" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_FairValueOfWarrantsExercisedInThePeriod" name="FairValueOfWarrantsExercisedInThePeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_FairValueOfWarrantsOutstandingPerWarrant" name="FairValueOfWarrantsOutstandingPerWarrant" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_FairValueWarrantsForeignExchangeGainLoss" name="FairValueWarrantsForeignExchangeGainLoss" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_InProcessResearchandDevelopmentAntigenInhibitorsMember" name="InProcessResearchandDevelopmentAntigenInhibitorsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_InProcessResearchandDevelopmentImmuneModulatorsMember" name="InProcessResearchandDevelopmentImmuneModulatorsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_InProcessResearchandDevelopmentcccDNASterilizersMember" name="InProcessResearchandDevelopmentcccDNASterilizersMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationLiability" name="IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationLiability" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_IncreaseDecreaseInValueOfWarrants" name="IncreaseDecreaseInValueOfWarrants" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_LaboratoryFacilitiesandOfficeSpaceMember" name="LaboratoryFacilitiesandOfficeSpaceMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesNumberofRenewalOptions" name="LesseeLeasingArrangementsOperatingLeasesNumberofRenewalOptions" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" name="LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_LicenseAgreementMaximumSalesPerformanceMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" name="LicenseAgreementMaximumSalesPerformanceMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_LicensingFeesMilestoneAndRoyaltyPaymentsAbstract" name="LicensingFeesMilestoneAndRoyaltyPaymentsAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_MarinaBiotechInc.Member" name="MarinaBiotechInc.Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_MarqiboCommercialSalesMember" name="MarqiboCommercialSalesMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_MarqiboMember" name="MarqiboMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_MaximumContributionForProduct" name="MaximumContributionForProduct" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_MilestonePayment" name="MilestonePayment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_MonsantoMember" name="MonsantoMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_NumberOfChemotherapyProductsWithWorldwideLicenses" name="NumberOfChemotherapyProductsWithWorldwideLicenses" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Numberofseriesofcompounds" name="Numberofseriesofcompounds" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_OptionExercisedContractualOptionRevenueAmount" name="OptionExercisedContractualOptionRevenueAmount" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_OptionalExercisedContractualOptionAmount" name="OptionalExercisedContractualOptionAmount" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_OtherMilestoneandRoyaltyPaymentsMember" name="OtherMilestoneandRoyaltyPaymentsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_PADCo.Member" name="PADCo.Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_PercentOfCostsFundedByTPC" name="PercentOfCostsFundedByTPC" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_PotentialContractFundingAmount" name="PotentialContractFundingAmount" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_PotentialProceedsOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" name="PotentialProceedsOfAdditionalSharesAuthorized" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNet" name="ProceedsFromIssuanceOfCommonStockNet" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ProgramsInPreClinicalDevelopment" name="ProgramsInPreClinicalDevelopment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range1Member" name="Range1Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range2Member" name="Range2Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range3Member" name="Range3Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range4Member" name="Range4Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range5Member" name="Range5Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range6Member" name="Range6Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_Range7Member" name="Range7Member" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseMaximumCommercializationMilestonePayments" name="ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseMaximumCommercializationMilestonePayments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePayments" name="ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePayments" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseUpfrontPayment" name="ResearchFundingAgreementRightToObtainExclusiveLicenseUpfrontPayment" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ResearchFundingPeriod" name="ResearchFundingPeriod" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ResearchFundingPeriodRenewableOption" name="ResearchFundingPeriodRenewableOption" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_RoyaltiesPaidOrAccrued" name="RoyaltiesPaidOrAccrued" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsPercentage" name="RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsPercentage" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:percentItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_RoyaltyPayable" name="RoyaltyPayable" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageFairValue" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageFairValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageFairValue" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageFairValue" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingFairValuePrice" name="SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingFairValuePrice" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="num:perShareItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_StockOptionLiabilityFairValueDisclosure" name="StockOptionLiabilityFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="credit" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_TalonTherapeuticsMember" name="TalonTherapeuticsMember" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:domainItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_TemporalDiagramOfShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeTableTextBlock" name="TemporalDiagramOfShareBasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansByExercisePriceRangeTableTextBlock" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="nonnum:textBlockItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_UpfrontFee" name="UpfrontFee" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType" xbrli:balance="debit" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element abstract="true" id="abus_WeightedAverageNumberOfCommonSharesAbstract" name="WeightedAverageNumberOfCommonSharesAbstract" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <xsd:element id="abus_WhollyOwnedSubsidiariesIncludedinFinancialStatements" name="WhollyOwnedSubsidiariesIncludedinFinancialStatements" nillable="true" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType" xbrli:periodType="instant" />
</xsd:schema>





