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Exicure’s Update Shows Promising Pipeline

The clinical-stage biotechnology Exicure Inc. (NASDAQ: XCUR), which is focused on developing therapeutics for neurology, immuno-oncology, inflammatory diseases, and other genetic disorders has failed to attract investors lately.

The company’s developments are based on its proprietary Spherical Nucleic Acid, or SNA technology, which has different chemical and biological properties. Over the past six months, the company has lost 38.6%, which might be gained back following the pipeline update at its recent R&D day.

Exicure hosted the R&D day and highlighted the SNA oligonucleotides pipeline, which is designed for neurodegenerative diseases. Following the update, Chardan Capital analyst Keay Nakae said that the company’s lead candidate, XCUR-FXN, which targets Friedreich’s Ataxia, reached its advanced stage and has begun GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) toxicology studies. Friedreich's ataxia is a rare genetic disease that causes difficulty walking, a loss of sensation in the arms and legs, and impaired speech. Notably, the drug is likely to undergo clinical trials in early 2022.

Nakae elaborated that the company is also working on two early-stage preclinical programs, including SCN9A for neuropathic pain, and another one for CLN3 Batten Disease with ocular manifestations. Batten Disease is a fatal disease of the nervous system.

According to the analyst, Exicure’s SNA drug is highly safe and effective in cells and tissues, which leads to higher potency at the same dose, with persistence in the central nervous system (CNS). He believes the drug is “leading to prolonged efficacy, and have been shown to achieve broad CNS penetration and uptake in all CNS subtypes.”

Nakae said that in the company’s phase II open-label dose expansion study (NCT03684785), the enrollment of patients continues. The study is evaluating the lead asset, cavrotolimod in patients suffering from advanced or metastatic Merkel cell carcinoma, or cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. (See Exicure stock chart on TipRanks)

Following the company’s update on its pipeline, the analyst maintained a Buy rating and a price target of $7 (400% upside potential).

On TipRanks, Exicure is a Moderate Buy based on 2 Buy ratings. The average Exicure price target of $6 implies upside potential of 328.6% from the current levels.

According to the new TipRanks’ Risk Factors tool for the company, the Exicure stock is at risk mainly from three factors: Tech & Innovation, Finance and Corporate, and Regulatory and Legal, which contribute 32%, 30%, and 17%, respectively, to the total risk for the stock. Within the Tech & Innovation risk category, XCUR has 20 risks, details of which can be found on the TipRanks website.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analyst. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your analysis before making any investment.

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