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Exicure’s Burixafor Delivers About 90% Stem-Cell Mobilization in Phase 2 as Shares Surge

Rapid one-hour peak with a clean safety profile positions the CXCR4 antagonist for Phase 3 planning.

Overview

  • In an open-label Phase 2 trial of 19 multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous transplant, 17 collected at least 2×10^6 CD34+ cells/kg within two leukapheresis sessions and the remaining two reached the target after an additional session.
  • Peripheral CD34+ counts peaked within one hour of dosing, supporting potential same-day administration and apheresis.
  • Performance remained strong in harder-to-mobilize patients, as 14 of 16 participants with prior daratumumab exposure met the primary endpoint, with higher yields observed when more time had elapsed since the last daratumumab dose.
  • The regimen of burixafor plus propranolol and G-CSF showed no burixafor-related adverse events above Grade 2, and among those transplanted the median times to neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 13 and 17.5 days.
  • Following the ASH presentation, Exicure shares jumped roughly 140% after-hours and continued higher Tuesday as the company highlights Phase 3 planning and potential extensions to sickle cell disease, cell and gene therapy support, and a planned AML chemosensitization study.