Investing.com -- Exicure (NASDAQ:XCUR) stock soared 140% in after-hours trading Monday following the company’s announcement of positive topline Phase 2 data for its investigational drug burixafor in multiple myeloma patients.
The clinical-stage biotechnology company reported that approximately 90% of study participants achieved the primary endpoint in its Phase 2 trial evaluating burixafor in combination with propranolol and G-CSF for mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells in patients undergoing autologous transplantation.
According to the data presented at the American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting, 17 of 19 participants (89.5%) successfully collected the required number of CD34+ cells within two leukapheresis sessions. The remaining two patients achieved the target with an additional session.
Notably, the drug demonstrated effectiveness even in patients previously treated with daratumumab, a therapy known to reduce mobilization success. Of the 16 participants with prior daratumumab exposure, 87.5% still achieved the primary endpoint.
Burixafor showed differentiated mobilization kinetics, with peak peripheral levels of CD34+ cells observed within one hour of administration, allowing for same-day drug administration and apheresis. This rapid action distinguishes it from other CXCR4 inhibitors currently available.
The drug combination was well tolerated with no burixafor-related adverse events higher than Grade 2, suggesting a favorable safety profile.
Dr. Jack Khouri, the study’s lead investigator from Cleveland Clinic, presented the findings, highlighting the potential of burixafor to improve the patient experience by reducing the burden of the mobilization process, particularly for those previously treated with therapies that may reduce stem cell yield.
Exicure is developing burixafor as a small molecule that blocks CXCL12 binding to CXCR4 receptors on HPCs, rapidly mobilizing these cells from bone marrow into peripheral blood.
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