Exicure 2024 Q1 Earnings Strong Turnaround with 81.2% Reduction in Net Loss

Exicure (XCUR) reported its fiscal 2024 Q1 earnings on June 27th, 2025. The company successfully reduced its net loss significantly, showing an 81.2% improvement from the previous year. Revenue remained unchanged, but Exicure managed to narrow its earnings losses per share. The company's guidance indicates a challenging road ahead with the need for additional financing to sustain operations. Exicure's management remains cautiously optimistic, focusing on strategic alternatives to enhance stockholder value amidst current financial constraints.

Revenue

Earnings/Net Income
Exicure narrowed losses to $0.48 per share in 2024 Q1 from a loss of $0.70 per share in 2023 Q1 (31.4% improvement). Meanwhile, the company successfully narrowed its net loss to $-829,000 in 2024 Q1, reducing losses by 81.2% compared to the $-4.41 million net loss reported in 2023 Q1. The reduction in losses is a positive indicator for the company's financial health.

Price Action
The stock price of Exicure has edged down 0.17% during the latest trading day, has plummeted 21.15% during the most recent full trading week, and has plummeted 41.10% month-to-date.

Post-Earnings Price Action Review
The strategy of buying Exicure (XCUR) shares on the day after earnings reports and holding for 30 days has yielded strong returns over the past three years. With an annualized return of 56.8%, this approach has significantly outperformed the S&P 500's 12.6% return over the same period. This indicates the effectiveness of this post-earnings release strategy for XCUR, likely due to positive earnings surprises and market optimism regarding the company's future prospects. However, the current financial challenges and cash flow issues may affect future returns, urging investors to exercise caution. The combination of historical performance and current financial constraints presents a complex picture for potential investors.

CEO Commentary
Exicure, Inc. CEO highlighted the company's significant progress in the first quarter of 2025, noting a strategic pivot following the acquisition of GPCR Therapeutics USA Inc. This acquisition has enabled the company to initiate research and development activities, which had been previously suspended. The CEO acknowledged the challenges posed by increasing operating expenses and the necessity for additional financing due to insufficient cash reserves to sustain operations. However, the tone remained cautious yet optimistic regarding the potential of the company's lead program aimed at addressing hematologic diseases.

Guidance
The Company anticipates that its current cash and cash equivalents are inadequate to support ongoing operations, necessitating substantial additional financing in the short term. Management is actively exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value and acknowledges the pressing need to raise capital to fund both operational expenses and the ongoing exploration of these alternatives. There is no assurance that such financing will be available or obtainable on favorable terms.

Additional News
Exicure has recently navigated significant corporate events, including the acquisition of GPCR Therapeutics USA Inc., which has revitalized their R&D activities. The company also responded to a Nasdaq delinquency notice regarding late quarterly filings, reflecting ongoing compliance challenges. Furthermore, Exicure completed patient enrollment in a Phase 2 study of GPC-100 for stem cell mobilization in multiple myeloma patients, showcasing their commitment to advancing their clinical programs. These developments highlight Exicure's strategic maneuvers aimed at overcoming existing hurdles and advancing their therapeutic pipeline.