<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<!--XBRL Document Created with Wdesk from Workiva-->
<!--Copyright 2021 Workiva-->
<!--r:a1884d86-749a-455f-8f8b-40811ddceb17,g:df379162-b043-4676-8330-9f2c29386dca-->
<xs:schema xmlns:xs="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:abus="http://arbutusbio.com/20210930" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" attributeFormDefault="unqualified" elementFormDefault="qualified" targetNamespace="http://arbutusbio.com/20210930">
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2021-01-31" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2021/elts/srt-2021-01-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2021-01-31" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2021/elts/us-gaap-2021-01-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xlink-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21/types.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd"/>
  <xs:import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021/dei-2021.xsd"/>
  <xs:annotation>
    <xs:appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20210930_lab.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20210930_pre.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20210930_cal.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:linkbaseRef xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" xlink:href="abus-20210930_def.xml" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:type="simple"/>
      <link:roleType id="Cover" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Cover">
        <link:definition>0001001 - Document - Cover</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="CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnaudited">
        <link:definition>1001002 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)</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="CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsUnauditedParenthetical">
        <link:definition>1002003 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (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="CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveLossUnaudited" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofOperationsandComprehensiveLossUnaudited">
        <link:definition>1003004 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (Unaudited)</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="CondensedConsolidatedStatementofStockholdersEquityUnaudited" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementofStockholdersEquityUnaudited">
        <link:definition>1004005 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders&#8217; Equity (Unaudited)</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="CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowUnaudited" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CondensedConsolidatedStatementsofCashFlowUnaudited">
        <link:definition>1005006 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow (Unaudited)</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>2101101 - 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="NatureofbusinessandfutureoperationsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/NatureofbusinessandfutureoperationsDetails">
        <link:definition>2402401 - Disclosure - Nature of business and future operations (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>2103102 - 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="SignificantaccountingpoliciesPolicies" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantaccountingpoliciesPolicies">
        <link:definition>2204201 - 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="SignificantaccountingpoliciesDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SignificantaccountingpoliciesDetails">
        <link:definition>2405402 - Disclosure - Significant accounting policies (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="Fairvaluemeasurements" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Fairvaluemeasurements">
        <link:definition>2106103 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements</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="FairvaluemeasurementsTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/FairvaluemeasurementsTables">
        <link:definition>2307301 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements (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="FairvaluemeasurementsNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/FairvaluemeasurementsNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2408403 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - 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="FairvaluemeasurementsAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/FairvaluemeasurementsAssetsandLiabilitiesMeasuredatFairValueonRecurringBasisDetails">
        <link:definition>2409404 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - 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="FairvaluemeasurementsChangesinFairValueofLiabilitiesClassifiedasStockOptionDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/FairvaluemeasurementsChangesinFairValueofLiabilitiesClassifiedasStockOptionDetails">
        <link:definition>2410405 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - Changes in Fair Value of Liabilities-Classified as Stock Option (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="FairvaluemeasurementsChangesinFairValueofContingentConsiderationDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/FairvaluemeasurementsChangesinFairValueofContingentConsiderationDetails">
        <link:definition>2411406 - Disclosure - Fair value measurements - 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="Investmentsinmarketablesecurities" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Investmentsinmarketablesecurities">
        <link:definition>2112104 - Disclosure - Investments in marketable securities</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="InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesTables">
        <link:definition>2313302 - Disclosure - Investments in marketable securities (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="InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesMarketableSecuritiesDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesMarketableSecuritiesDetails">
        <link:definition>2414407 - Disclosure - Investments in marketable securities - Marketable Securities (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="InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/InvestmentsinmarketablesecuritiesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2415408 - Disclosure - Investments in marketable securities - 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="InvestmentinGenevant" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/InvestmentinGenevant">
        <link:definition>2116105 - Disclosure - Investment in Genevant</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="InvestmentinGenevantDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/InvestmentinGenevantDetails">
        <link:definition>2417409 - Disclosure - Investment in Genevant (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="Accountspayableandaccruedliabilities" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Accountspayableandaccruedliabilities">
        <link:definition>2118106 - 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="AccountspayableandaccruedliabilitiesTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/AccountspayableandaccruedliabilitiesTables">
        <link:definition>2319303 - 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="AccountspayableandaccruedliabilitiesDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/AccountspayableandaccruedliabilitiesDetails">
        <link:definition>2420410 - 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="Saleoffutureroyalties" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Saleoffutureroyalties">
        <link:definition>2121107 - Disclosure - Sale of future royalties</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="SaleoffutureroyaltiesTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SaleoffutureroyaltiesTables">
        <link:definition>2322304 - Disclosure - Sale of future royalties (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="SaleoffutureroyaltiesNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SaleoffutureroyaltiesNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2423411 - Disclosure - Sale of future royalties - 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="SaleoffutureroyaltiesLiabilityActivityDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/SaleoffutureroyaltiesLiabilityActivityDetails">
        <link:definition>2424412 - Disclosure - Sale of future royalties - Liability 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="Contingenciesandcommitments" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Contingenciesandcommitments">
        <link:definition>2125108 - 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>2426413 - 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="Collaborationscontractsandlicensingagreements" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Collaborationscontractsandlicensingagreements">
        <link:definition>2127109 - 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="CollaborationscontractsandlicensingagreementsTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationscontractsandlicensingagreementsTables">
        <link:definition>2328305 - 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="CollaborationscontractsandlicensingagreementsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/CollaborationscontractsandlicensingagreementsDetails">
        <link:definition>2429414 - Disclosure - 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="Stockholdersequity" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Stockholdersequity">
        <link:definition>2130110 - Disclosure - Stockholders&#8217; 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="StockholdersequityTables" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/StockholdersequityTables">
        <link:definition>2331306 - Disclosure - Stockholders&#8217; equity (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="StockholdersequityNarrativeDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/StockholdersequityNarrativeDetails">
        <link:definition>2432415 - Disclosure - Stockholders&#8217; equity - 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="StockholdersequityStockbasedCompensationDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/StockholdersequityStockbasedCompensationDetails">
        <link:definition>2433416 - Disclosure - Stockholders&#8217; equity - Stock-based Compensation (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="Relatedpartytransactions" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/Relatedpartytransactions">
        <link:definition>2134111 - Disclosure - Related party transactions</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="RelatedpartytransactionsDetails" roleURI="http://arbutusbio.com/role/RelatedpartytransactionsDetails">
        <link:definition>2435417 - Disclosure - Related party transactions (Details)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </xs:appinfo>
  </xs:annotation>
  <xs:element id="abus_TransactionCostsRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" abstract="false" name="TransactionCostsRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_IncreaseDecreaseinFairValueofLiabilityClassifiedOptions" abstract="false" name="IncreaseDecreaseinFairValueofLiabilityClassifiedOptions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NonCashRoyaltyMember" abstract="true" name="NonCashRoyaltyMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" abstract="false" name="LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerLicense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyPayable" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyPayable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NoncontrollingInterestMaximumOwnershipPercentagebyNoncontrollingOwners" abstract="false" name="NoncontrollingInterestMaximumOwnershipPercentagebyNoncontrollingOwners" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_GrossProceedsFromRoyaltyInterestSold" abstract="false" name="GrossProceedsFromRoyaltyInterestSold" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ContingenciesandCommitmentsTable" abstract="true" name="ContingenciesandCommitmentsTable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:hypercubeItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyPercentageofInterestSold" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyPercentageofInterestSold" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilitiesRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesRollForwardTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="LiabilitiesRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesRollForwardTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" abstract="false" name="NonCashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" abstract="false" name="NonCashInterestExpenseRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyalties" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureLineItems" abstract="true" name="OtherLiabilitiesDisclosureLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesinPeriodFairValue" abstract="false" name="SharebasedCompensationArrangementbySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesinPeriodFairValue" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyEntitlements" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyEntitlements" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AssemblyBiosciencesIncMember" abstract="true" name="AssemblyBiosciencesIncMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_EnantigensSellingShareholdersMember" abstract="true" name="EnantigensSellingShareholdersMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_EmployeeStockOptionsLiabilityClassifiedOutstandingFairValueDisclosure" abstract="false" name="EmployeeStockOptionsLiabilityClassifiedOutstandingFairValueDisclosure" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_EmployeeStockOptionLiabilityClassifiedMember" abstract="true" name="EmployeeStockOptionLiabilityClassifiedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AccruedResearchAndDevelopment" abstract="false" name="AccruedResearchAndDevelopment" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyInterestSoldPercentageOfSalesAnnualRevenueThresholdOfHighestTier" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyInterestSoldPercentageOfSalesAnnualRevenueThresholdOfHighestTier" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AccruedPayrollCurrent" abstract="false" name="AccruedPayrollCurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_EmployeeStockOptionsLiabilityClassifiedOutstanding" abstract="false" name="EmployeeStockOptionsLiabilityClassifiedOutstanding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesRollForward" abstract="true" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesRollForward" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisRollForward" abstract="true" name="FairValueLiabilitiesMeasuredonRecurringBasisRollForward" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ResearchAndDevelopmentServicesMember" abstract="true" name="ResearchAndDevelopmentServicesMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerRoyalty" abstract="false" name="LicenseAgreementMaximumDevelopmentAndRegulatoryMilestonePaymentsPerRoyalty" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoivantSciencesLtdMember" abstract="true" name="RoivantSciencesLtdMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AlnylamPharmaceuticalsIncMember" abstract="true" name="AlnylamPharmaceuticalsIncMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_OMERSMember" abstract="true" name="OMERSMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_A2019AmendedSaleAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="A2019AmendedSaleAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilityFromSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNonCashRoyaltyIncome" abstract="false" name="LiabilityFromSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNonCashRoyaltyIncome" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_USGovernmentBondsMember" abstract="true" name="USGovernmentBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_EffectiveAnnualInterestRateOfRoyaltyLiability" abstract="false" name="EffectiveAnnualInterestRateOfRoyaltyLiability" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ArbutusPlansMember" abstract="true" name="ArbutusPlansMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LockUpPeriodPreferredShareholders" abstract="false" name="LockUpPeriodPreferredShareholders" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_StandStillPeriodForPreferredShareholder" abstract="false" name="StandStillPeriodForPreferredShareholder" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_WeightedAverageNumberOfCommonSharesAbstract" abstract="true" name="WeightedAverageNumberOfCommonSharesAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NumberOfProducts" abstract="false" name="NumberOfProducts" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AcuitasTherapeuticsInc.Member" abstract="true" name="AcuitasTherapeuticsInc.Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_JefferiesLLCMember" abstract="true" name="JefferiesLLCMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ArbitrationWithTheUniversityOfBritishColumbiaMember" abstract="false" name="ArbitrationWithTheUniversityOfBritishColumbiaMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_A2020AmendedSaleAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="A2020AmendedSaleAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsPercentage" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyGuaranteesCommitmentsPercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ChangesInFairValueofLiabilityOptionTableTextBlock" abstract="false" name="ChangesInFairValueofLiabilityOptionTableTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilitiesRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTextBlock" abstract="false" name="LiabilitiesRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesTextBlock" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:textBlockItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilityFromSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNonCashExpense" abstract="false" name="LiabilityFromSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNonCashExpense" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_Oct2021ProspectusSupplementAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="Oct2021ProspectusSupplementAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_OtherMilestoneandRoyaltyPaymentsMember" abstract="true" name="OtherMilestoneandRoyaltyPaymentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_WhollyOwnedSubsidiariesIncludedinFinancialStatements" abstract="false" name="WhollyOwnedSubsidiariesIncludedinFinancialStatements" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_Mar2021ProspectusSupplementAgreementMember" abstract="true" name="Mar2021ProspectusSupplementAgreementMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_NoncontrollingInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwnersAfterConversion" abstract="false" name="NoncontrollingInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwnersAfterConversion" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_CollaborationAndContractsMember" abstract="true" name="CollaborationAndContractsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LongTermInvestmentsMember" abstract="true" name="LongTermInvestmentsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ContingenciesandCommitmentsLineItems" abstract="true" name="ContingenciesandCommitmentsLineItems" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_USGovernmentAgencyBondsMember" abstract="true" name="USGovernmentAgencyBondsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_GenevantSciencesCorporationMember" abstract="true" name="GenevantSciencesCorporationMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_ArbutusInc.Member" abstract="true" name="ArbutusInc.Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_PremiumonClosingStockPrice" abstract="false" name="PremiumonClosingStockPrice" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalCertainFairValueAdjustmentstoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" abstract="false" name="AdjustmentstoAdditionalPaidinCapitalCertainFairValueAdjustmentstoLiabilityStockOptionAwards" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_SubLicensingRevenuePercentage" abstract="false" name="SubLicensingRevenuePercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNoncurrent" abstract="false" name="LiabilityRelatedToSaleOfFutureRoyaltiesNoncurrent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_USGovernmentMoneyMarkeTFundMember" abstract="true" name="USGovernmentMoneyMarkeTFundMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationLiability" abstract="false" name="IncreaseDecreaseInFairValueOfContingentConsiderationLiability" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="abus_RoyaltyInterestSoldMaximumRoyaltiesForBuyer" abstract="false" name="RoyaltyInterestSoldMaximumRoyaltiesForBuyer" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
