Burixafor (GPC-100) Phase 2 Trial in Multiple Myeloma Nears Key Readout Preparing for Expansion into Sickle Cell Disease and Acute Myeloid Leukemia New Leadership Appointments Bring Deep Drug Development Expertise REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Oct. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics for hematologic diseases, today shared recent progress for its lead program, burixafor (GPC-100), outlined upcoming strategic priorities, and introdu ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were $300,000, a significant decrease from $6,900,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to the transition of Effexxa's commercialization to AIRMET [18][19] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $5,100,000, compared to a net loss of $700,000 in Q1 2024, driven by non-operating income from the reevaluation of warrants [22][23] - Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, were $26,400,000, providing a runway projected to fund operations through the second half of 2026 [10][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Effexxa generated sales of $1,400,000 in Q1 2025, resulting in $300,000 of royalty revenues to BioLineRx, indicating a return to growth after a transition period [17] - Research and development expenses decreased to $1,600,000 in Q1 2025 from $2,500,000 in Q1 2024, reflecting lower costs related to motixafortide due to the out-licensing agreement [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market for Effexxa is estimated at approximately $300,000,000, with expectations that BioLineRx could capture a substantial portion of this market [43][44] - The company is focused on expanding its pipeline in oncology and rare diseases, leveraging expertise in drug development [7][8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has shifted focus to evaluating early clinical stage and late preclinical stage therapeutic assets in oncology and rare diseases, aiming to leverage its drug development expertise [7][8] - The out-licensing agreement with AIRMET allows BioLineRx to return to its roots as an innovative company in complex drug development [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing development of metixafortide in treating pancreatic cancer, highlighting strong scientific rationale for continued investment in this area [11][12] - The company is actively seeking new assets for in-licensing and development to expand its pipeline and create additional value for shareholders [68] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its operating cash burn by over 70%, from over $40,000,000 annually to less than $12,000,000 as of 2025 [10] - The ongoing development of metixafortide in sickle cell disease is supported by two phase one trials, with promising initial results [9][12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Does the cash runway include new asset development costs? - Yes, it does [27] Question: Have the costs from the November restructuring impacted the P&L? - Those costs were fully accrued by the end of 2024, with no further anticipated costs in 2025 [28] Question: What is the long-term opportunity for Effexxa? - The market is estimated at $300,000,000, with potential revenues in the $100 million range for BioLineRx [43][44] Question: What is the communication strategy for interim analysis results? - The company is limited by Columbia University's communication strategy and will release data once published by them [36] Question: What are the chances of regulatory approval based on the current study? - Regulatory approval is unlikely based on the current study, as it primarily measures progression-free survival [37] Question: What is the visibility on future milestone payments? - Milestones are primarily commercial-based, with some geographic and regulatory milestones included in the agreements [56][60] Question: What type of assets is the company looking for? - The company is looking for assets with a short clinical development pathway and lean programs to reach value-creating events [64][65]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for Q1 2025 were $300,000, a significant decrease from $6,900,000 in Q1 2024, primarily due to the transition of Effexxa's commercialization to AIRMID [17][18] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $5,100,000, compared to a net loss of $700,000 in Q1 2024, driven by non-operating income related to the reevaluation of warrants [21] - Cash and cash equivalents as of March 31, 2025, stood at $26,400,000, providing a cash runway projected to fund operations through the second half of 2026 [21][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Effexxa generated sales of $1,400,000 in Q1 2025, resulting in $300,000 of royalty revenues to BioLineRx, with expectations of growth resuming after a transition period [15] - Research and development expenses decreased to $1,600,000 in Q1 2025 from $2,500,000 in Q1 2024, reflecting lower costs associated with motixafortide due to the out-licensing agreement [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The overall market for Effexxa is estimated at approximately $300,000,000, with expectations that BioLineRx could capture a substantial portion of this market, translating to potential revenues in the $100 million range [39][40] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on evaluating early clinical stage and late preclinical stage therapeutic assets in oncology and rare diseases, leveraging expertise in drug development [6] - The strategic partnership with AIRMID is expected to provide significant commercial milestones and royalties, allowing the company to return to its roots in complex drug development [4][5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the ongoing development of metixafortide in pancreatic cancer, highlighting strong scientific rationale for continued investment in this area [10][11] - The company aims to identify new assets for in-licensing and development to expand its pipeline and create additional value for shareholders [62] Other Important Information - The company has reduced its operating cash burn by over 70%, from over $40,000,000 annually to less than $12,000,000 as of 2025 [9] - The ongoing trials for sickle cell disease using metixafortide are expected to provide valuable data, with results from two phase one trials currently awaited [8] Q&A Session Summary Question: Does the cash runway include new asset development costs? - Yes, the cash runway includes potential costs associated with new assets, which may be offset by milestones and royalties [24] Question: Have the restructuring costs been fully accounted for in the P&L? - Yes, the restructuring costs were fully accrued by the end of 2024, with no further anticipated costs in 2025 [25] Question: What are the expectations for Effexxa's long-term opportunity? - The market for Effexxa is estimated at $300,000,000, with expectations of capturing a significant portion, leading to potential revenues exceeding $100 million [39][40] Question: What is the communication strategy for interim analysis results? - The communication strategy is aligned with Columbia University, which is leading the study, and data will be released following their publication [33] Question: What are the thoughts on the current trajectory of the cell and gene therapy fields? - There are headwinds in the gene therapy space, but the company views Effexxa as a long-term play with significant upside potential [42][45] Question: What is the visibility on future milestone payments? - Milestone payments are primarily commercial-based, with some geographic and regulatory milestones included in the agreements [51][55]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $28.9 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 502.1%, compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [30] - Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $9.2 million compared to a net loss of $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [34] - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term bank deposits as of December 31, 2024, were $19.6 million, with approximately $29 million on a pro forma basis after financing completed in early January 2025 [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - APHEXDA achieved a 10% market share of total CXCR4 inhibitor usage in the U.S. within less than 11 months of being on the market [26] - Generated more than $6 million of net APHEXDA product revenue in the U.S. through the closing of the Ayrmid transaction on November 21 [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has shifted its strategy to focus on evaluating early clinical stage and late pre-clinical stage therapeutic assets in oncology and rare diseases [6][7] - The licensing agreement with Ayrmid Pharma Ltd. allows the company to return to its roots in complex drug development while leveraging expertise in drug development [6][9] - The company aims to help as many patients as possible while creating enduring value for shareholders [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about evaluating several promising candidates and the potential for definitive announcements within the year [8] - The company has reduced its ongoing operating cash burn by approximately 70%, from over $40 million annually to approximately $12 million annually [18] - The company believes it is well-positioned to advance motixafortide in solid tumor indications while evaluating additional assets in oncology and rare diseases [19] Other Important Information - The Ayrmid agreement generated $10 million in upfront payments and potential milestones of $87 million, along with double-digit sales royalties ranging from 18% to 23% [16] - The company has shut down its U.S. operations and implemented a headcount reduction in Israel, transitioning a substantial portion of its commercial team to Ayrmid [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any more color on meaningful progress in evaluating assets? - Management indicated that they are having meaningful discussions regarding early-stage clinical assets in oncology and rare diseases but could not provide a timeline for announcements [38] Question: How are internal programs looking, especially with WashU and sickle cell? - Management noted that a significant win would be mobilizing enough cells in one cycle for gene therapy, reducing the number of apheresis sessions required [43][44] Question: Commentary on increased traction of APHEXDA for multiple myeloma? - Management expressed confidence in Ayrmid's team and their marketing efforts, stating that the transition has gone smoothly [49] Question: How many assets have been looked at in the acquisition process? - Management stated that they have looked at thousands of molecules over the company's history, focusing on early clinical stage assets in oncology and rare diseases [56][58] Question: Allocation of expenses during the acquisition process? - Management confirmed that expenses would initially be higher during the search process but would shift towards R&D once assets are acquired [59] Question: Internal versus external efforts in the acquisition process? - Management indicated that the majority of the work is done in-house, with external consultants used as needed for specific expertise [64]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $28.9 million, an increase of $24.1 million, or 502.1%, compared to $4.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [30] - Net loss for the year ended December 31, 2024, was $9.2 million compared to a net loss of $60.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [34] - Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term bank deposits as of December 31, 2024, were $19.6 million, with approximately $29 million on a pro forma basis after financing completed in early January 2025 [34] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenues in 2024 included $15 million from upfront and milestone payments under the Gloria license agreement and $6 million of net APHEXDA product revenues [31] - Research and development expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $9.2 million, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 26.4%, compared to $12.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [32] - Sales and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024, were $23.6 million, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 6.7%, compared to $25.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 [33] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - APHEXDA achieved a 10% market share of total CXCR4 inhibitor usage in the U.S. within less than 11 months of being on the market [26] - More than $6 million of net APHEXDA product revenue was generated in the U.S. through the closing of the Ayrmid transaction on November 21 [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has shifted its strategy to focus on evaluating early clinical stage and late pre-clinical stage therapeutic assets in oncology and rare diseases [6][7] - The exclusive license agreement with Ayrmid Pharma Ltd. for motixafortide allows the company to return to its roots in complex drug development while benefiting from Ayrmid's commercial potential [9][10] - The company aims to help as many patients as possible while creating enduring value for shareholders [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about evaluating promising candidates and making definitive announcements within the year [8] - The company has reduced its ongoing operating cash burn by approximately 70%, from over $40 million annually to approximately $12 million annually [18] - The company believes it is well-positioned to advance motixafortide in solid tumor indications while evaluating additional assets in oncology and rare diseases [19] Other Important Information - The Ayrmid agreement generated $10 million in upfront payments and potential milestones of $87 million, along with double-digit sales royalties ranging from 18% to 23% [16] - The company has shut down its U.S. operations and implemented a headcount reduction in Israel, allowing for a streamlined organization [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: Any more color on meaningful progress in evaluating assets? - Management indicated that while there are meaningful discussions ongoing, specific timelines for announcements cannot be provided [38] Question: How are internal programs, especially with WashU and sickle cell, looking? - Management noted that a significant win would be mobilizing enough cells in one cycle for gene therapy, reducing the number of apheresis sessions [43][44] Question: Commentary on increased traction of APHEXDA for multiple myeloma? - Management expressed confidence in Ayrmid's team and their marketing efforts, stating that the transition has gone smoothly [49] Question: How many assets have been looked at in the acquisition process? - Management stated that they have looked at thousands of molecules over the company's history, focusing on early clinical stage assets in oncology and rare diseases [56][58] Question: Allocation of expenses during the acquisition process? - Management confirmed that expenses would initially be higher during the search process, shifting towards R&D as acquisitions are made [59] Question: Internal versus external efforts in the acquisition process? - Management indicated that the majority of the work is done in-house, with external consultants used as needed [64]