Business
Exicure, Inc. Reports Full Year 2022 Financial Results and Provides Corporate Update
CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Exicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR), historically an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing nucleic acid therapies
About this update from Exicure, Inc.
[{"type":"text","content":" CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--\nExicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR), historically an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing nucleic acid therapies targeting ribonucleic acid against validated targets, today reported financial results for the year ended December 31, 2022 and provided an update on its business strategy and corporate progress.\n\nCorporate Update\n\nAs previously reported, in September 2022, we announced a significant reduction in force, suspension of preclinical activities and halting of all research and development, and that we were exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value. With respect to our historical assets, this includes continuing to explore out-licensing opportunities for cavrotolimod, our clinical-stage asset in immuno-oncology, as well as for our preclinical candidate associated with the SCN9A program for neuropathic pain.\n\nWhile the foregoing efforts with respect to our historical assets are continuing, we do not expect they will generate significant value for stockholders, at least in the near term. Therefore, we are engaging in a broader exploration of strategic alternatives. This effort involves exploring growth through transactions with potential partners that see an opportunity in joining an existing, publicly-traded organization. We are exploring transactions both within our historical biotechnology and life science industry, as well as in other industries unrelated to our historical operations.\n\nOn February 24, 2023, we closed our private placement (the “Private Placement”) to CBI USA, Inc. Following the closing of the Private Placement, CBI USA is the beneficial owner of approximately 50.4% of the Company’s outstanding shares. At closing, CBI USA designated three members to the Company’s board of directors effective as of February 24, 2023. Additional directors were subsequently appointed by the board, and our board of directors currently includes 6 members, only one of which (Matthias Schroff, Exicure's Chief Executive Officer) was a director prior to the closing of the Private Placement. The Company is currently relying on Nasdaq’s “controlled company” exemption from the requirements that a majority of its board be independent and that it has an independent compensation committee and an independent nominating committee or function.\n\nThe Company currently expe...