NextCure Reports Q2 2025 Earnings, Partners with Simcere Zaiming, and Advances Clinical Trials

NextCure has reported Q2 2025 results, announcing a strategic partnership with Simcere Zaiming for the SIM0505 program. The company is advancing Phase 1 trials for SIM0505 and LNCB74, with plans to provide further updates by 2026. Cash reserves decreased to $35.3 million due to operational expenses, including a $17 million up-front license fee. Net loss for the quarter was $26.8 million. NextCure remains focused on antibody-drug conjugate programs and plans to continue providing updates on clinical trials and development milestones.

NextCure, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXTC) has reported its second-quarter 2025 financial results, highlighting significant business updates and strategic partnerships. The company announced a strategic collaboration with Simcere Zaiming for the Phase 1 program SIM0505 (CDH6 ADC), acquiring global rights excluding greater China. This partnership positions NextCure with two advanced antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) programs: LNCB74 and SIM0505.

The company's financial highlights for the quarter include a cash position of $35.3 million as of June 30, 2025, which is expected to fund operations into mid-2026. NextCure reported a net loss of $26.8 million for Q2 2025, primarily due to a $17.0 million up-front license fee incurred in connection with the licensing agreement announced in June 2025.

NextCure is advancing both ADC programs, with plans to provide further updates by the fourth quarter of 2025 and proof of concept data in the first half of 2026. The LNCB74 program, currently in cohort 4 of its Phase 1 trial, is progressing steadily, having cleared three cohorts and is now treating patients in cohort 4. Meanwhile, SIM0505 has shown preliminary clinical activity in China with a partial response observed in cohort 1.

The company's strategic pivot toward ADCs, through the acquisition of global rights (excluding China) to SIM0505, positions it with two ADC candidates targeting clinically validated pathways with distinct payloads—a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (SIM0505) and a tubulin inhibitor (LNCB74). Despite facing cash runway concerns amid significant R&D spending, NextCure remains focused on its ADC pipeline and plans to continue providing updates on clinical trials and development milestones.

References:
[1] https://www.biospace.com/press-releases/nextcure-provides-business-update-and-reports-second-quarter-2025-financial-results
[2] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/NXTC/next-cure-provides-business-update-and-reports-second-quarter-2025-lmrvqmnefn2q.html