Exicure (XCUR) Stock: Biotech Shares Surge 140% on Cancer Drug Breakthrough

TLDR

• Exicure stock jumped 140% after-hours following positive Phase 2 trial results for burixafor in multiple myeloma patients
• 90% of study participants successfully collected required stem cells for transplant within two collection sessions
• Drug worked even in patients previously treated with daratumumab, achieving 87.5% success rate in this harder-to-treat group
• Burixafor showed rapid action with peak stem cell levels within one hour, allowing same-day dosing and collection
• Trial showed favorable safety profile with no drug-related side effects higher than Grade 2

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Exicure shares rocketed 140% in after-hours trading Monday after the company dropped positive Phase 2 data for burixafor. The drug is being tested to help multiple myeloma patients collect stem cells for transplant.

Exicure, Inc., XCUR

The clinical trial hit its main goal. About 90% of patients got the number of stem cells they needed within two collection sessions. That’s the kind of success rate that gets biotech investors excited.

The data was presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting. Out of 19 participants, 17 collected enough CD34+ cells in two tries. The other two patients needed one more session but still reached the target.

What makes this result stand out is how the drug performed in tougher cases. Some patients had previously received daratumumab, a therapy that makes stem cell collection harder. Even in this group, 87.5% still hit the primary endpoint.

That’s 16 patients with prior daratumumab exposure, and 14 of them succeeded. For a small biotech company, showing your drug works in difficult patient populations matters.

Speed Could Be the Real Advantage

Burixafor showed something different from other drugs in this space. Peak stem cell levels appeared within one hour of giving the drug. That’s fast.

The quick action means doctors could potentially dose patients and collect cells on the same day. Right now, the process often takes multiple days and visits. Cutting that down would make life easier for patients and hospitals.

Dr. Jack Khouri from Cleveland Clinic led the study. He highlighted how burixafor could reduce the burden on patients, especially those who had treatments that lower stem cell counts.

The safety data looked clean too. No drug-related side effects above Grade 2 were reported. That’s important because any new drug needs to be both effective and tolerable.

How Burixafor Actually Works

The drug blocks CXCL12 from binding to CXCR4 receptors on stem cells. When that binding gets blocked, stem cells move from bone marrow into the bloodstream. Doctors can then collect them through a process called apheresis.

This type of stem cell collection is standard for patients getting autologous transplants. The cells come from the patient’s own body, get stored, and then returned after high-dose chemotherapy.

Multiple myeloma patients often need these transplants. Making the collection process more reliable and faster has real value.

Exicure switched its focus to this area earlier this year after acquiring GPCR Therapeutics USA. Before that, the company worked on different technology for neurological and skin conditions.

The Financial Reality

The stock jump is great for current shareholders. But Exicure still faces financial pressure. The company posted a net loss of $9.7 million in 2024, down from $16.9 million the year before.

Cash and equivalents stood at $12.5 million at year end, up from $4.5 million in 2023. Operating expenses dropped 72% year-over-year to $4.8 million. Revenue came in at $2.6 million for 2024.

These numbers show a company trying to stretch its runway. More funding will be needed to move burixafor through Phase 3 trials. Whether that comes through equity offerings, partnerships, or licensing deals remains to be seen.

The company had been gaining momentum before this announcement. Shares climbed for about six days straight, adding roughly $19 million in market value. The Phase 2 data release added fuel to an already moving stock.

What Comes Next for Exicure

A Phase 3 trial would be the logical next step. That’s where the drug gets tested in a larger patient group to confirm these early results. Regulators want to see consistent data across bigger studies before approving any new treatment.

The competitive landscape matters too. Other CXCR4 inhibitors exist, but burixafor’s speed and performance in daratumumab-exposed patients could give it an edge. The question is whether those advantages hold up in larger trials.

Investors will also watch how the company manages its cash. Small biotechs live and die by their ability to fund trials. Strong data helps attract investment, but execution still matters.

The drug showed effectiveness in a meaningful patient population with a clean safety profile. Stem cell collection happened faster than with existing options, and success rates stayed high even in tougher cases. Those are the facts driving Monday’s stock surge.

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