CHICAGO--(
BUSINESS WIRE
)--Please replace the release dated January 22, 2025 with the following corrected version due to multiple revisions.
The updated release reads:
EXICURE, INC. ANNOUNCES PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH GPCR THERAPEUTICS INC.
Exicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR, “the Company”, “Exicure”), today announced that on January 19, 2025, Exicure Inc. (“the Company”) entered into a Share Purchase Agreement with GPCR Therapeutics Inc., a Korean corporation (“GPCR”), pursuant to which the Company acquired from GPCR all of the issued and outstanding equity securities of GPCR Therapeutics USA Inc., a California corporation (“GPCR USA”). The transactions completed under the Share Purchase Agreement closed concurrently with execution. GPCR USA was, until immediately prior to closing under the Share Purchase Agreement, a wholly owned subsidiary of GPCR.
In connection with the closing of the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company and GPCR entered into a License and Collaboration Agreement (“L&C Agreement”) to further develop and commercialize GPCR’s technologies related to certain intellectual properties and patents. The L&C Agreement requires the Company to make milestone payments to GPCR upon the achievement of specific milestone events relating to clinical trials, marketing authorizations, and net sales, as well as for the Company to pay a recurring royalty payment based on at least 10% of net sales, as set forth in the L&C Agreement.
About GPCR USA, Inc.
GPCR USA is a biotech company that is currently led by Dr. Pina Cardarelli, the CSO and president of GPCR USA. The company has an ongoing Phase 2 clinical trial focused on blood cancer patients, particularly those eligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The trial involves the combined administration of G-CSF, GPC-100 (Burixafor) and propranolol. Per Dr. Cardarelli, "Two additional patients will receive treatment in January 2025. GPCR USA plans to complete the administration of GPC-100 to 20 patients by the end of April and aim to announce the clinical trial results by September."
In December of last year, GPCR USA presented results at the American Society of Hematology conference evaluating the impact of inhibiting CXCR4 and ADRB2 (beta-2 adrenergic receptor) on stem cell mobilization. Interim data from 10 patients for burixafor in combination with propranolol and G-CSF is promising. Results suggest that the treatment regimen can mobilize CD34
+
stem cells sufficiently for autologous stem cell transplant. Notably, burixafor allowed for same day administration of both mobilizing agent and leukapheresis. This fast kinetics of mobilization is differentiated from the FDA approved plerixafor or motixafortide, which require overnight pre-treatment prior to leukapheresis. The median times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment, 11 and 14 days respectively, are slightly less than what has been observed for standard of care. Importantly, 100% of the patients met the primary objective and the combination regimen exhibited excellent safety profiles in patients receiving the new front line blood cancer drug, Daratumumab. Dr. Cardarelli stated, "After completing patient treatment, we will conduct follow-up observations until July and then start data analysis," adding that positive results from the GPC-100 trial could have a beneficial impact on attracting additional investment and enhancing corporate value.
Currently, the ongoing clinical trials have met all primary end points and are at the stage of deciding whether to proceed to Phase 3. A proposed double-blind clinical trial comparing the mobilization agent Plerixafor with GPC-100 is under discussion. Additionally, research has shown that the combination of GPC-100 and propranolol increases the number of specific T cells, which are favorable for enhancing CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell) response rates, and relevant papers are being published. Thus, this could assist Exicure in expanding its additional pipeline for cell and gene therapies.
Dr. Cardarelli suggested that in the future, it will be essential to prioritize discussions with various partners based on the likelihood of success and high return on investment. She concluded, "If the hypotheses presented to GPCR USA are validated, there may be potential G-Protein Coupled Receptor targets that could be applicable to various diseases. We are considering steps such as establishing collaborations with companies possessing antibody manufacturing technologies, testing those technologies, and conducting joint research on multiple G-Protein Coupled Receptors.”
Dr. Cardarelli was an inventor of the CXCR4 antibody, Ulocuplumab developed by BMS, and in 2019 she joined GPCR Therapeutics evaluating the combination of CXCR4 and ADRB2. She later served as the Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of GPCR USA, contributing to the establishment of GPCR USA, talent acquisition, formation of a scientific advisory board, and the introduction of cell analysis and high-throughput screening technologies. She also successfully designed clinical trials for GPC-100 and secured FDA orphan drug designation.
About Exicure, Inc.
Exicure, Inc. is an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing nucleic acid therapies targeting ribonucleic acid against validated targets. Following its recent restructuring and suspension of clinical and development activities, the Company is exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value, both with respect to its historical biotechnology assets and more broadly. For further information, see
www.exicuretx.com
.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward looking statements are those which are not historical in nature. They are often identified by their inclusion of words such as “will,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plan,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from the outcomes expressed or implied by this report. Such risks include, among others, the accuracy of projections, targets, or plans, the possibility of listing deficiencies, and the risk that Nasdaq will ultimately delist the Company’s common stock. All such factors are difficult to predict and may be beyond the Company’s control. The Company undertakes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein, except as required by law or regulation. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.
