NextCure, Inc.

NextCure, Inc. and Avere Therapeutics, Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement, with the combined entity to operate as Avere Therapeutics, Inc. under the ticker AVRX. The transaction includes a concurrent $320 million private placement, led by Fairmount and Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group, to advance Avere's lead program, AVR-001, an oral IL-23 receptor antagonist. This financing is expected to fund AVR-001 through Phase 2b readout in psoriasis, initiation of a Phase 3 trial in psoriasis, and initiation of a Phase 2b trial in ulcerative colitis. Upon closing, pre-merger Avere stockholders will own approximately 98.79% of the combined company, while NextCure stockholders will own about 1.21%.

NextCure, Inc. and Avere Therapeutics, Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement in an all-stock transaction. Concurrently, Avere secured a $320 million private investment led by Fairmount and Hansoh Pharmaceutical, ensuring the combined company is well-capitalized. The combined entity, to be named Avere Therapeutics, Inc. and trade as "AVRX", will focus on advancing AVR-001, an oral IL-23 receptor antagonist, through Phase 2b and Phase 3 trials in psoriasis and Phase 2b in ulcerative colitis. The investment is expected to fund operations through key clinical milestones, and the company will be led by a seasoned biotech executive team.

NextCure, Inc. held its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 18, 2026. Key outcomes included the approval of the Amended and Restated 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan, which increases the maximum number of shares authorized for issuance by 80,000. Stockholders also elected two Class I directors, ratified Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor for 2026, and approved, on an advisory basis, the compensation paid to named executive officers.

NextCure, Inc. and Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced positive Phase 1 dose escalation data for SIM0505, an investigational antibody drug conjugate (ADC), at ASCO 2026. The study demonstrated a 55% objective response rate (ORR) in gynecologic cancers, including 52.9% in ovarian cancer and 66.7% in uterine serous carcinoma (USC), with a favorable safety profile. These results support the ongoing Phase 1 dose-optimization study, and NextCure plans to host a virtual KOL Event on June 2, 2026, to review the data.

NextCure, Inc. reported a net loss of $9.8 million for the first quarter of 2026, an improvement from $11.0 million in the prior year. The company issued a going concern warning, stating that its $29.7 million in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities as of March 31, 2026, will not be sufficient to fund operations for one year. NextCure continues to focus on advancing its clinical-stage biopharmaceutical programs while implementing cost-reduction measures and seeking additional funding.

NextCure announced its first quarter 2026 financial results and provided a business update, highlighted by the FDA granting Fast Track designation for its SIM0505 program for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer. The company reported a net loss of $9.8 million, an improvement from $11.0 million in the prior year. NextCure also initiated dose optimization for SIM0505 and plans to present Phase 1 data at ASCO 2026, while continuing enrollment for its LNCB74 program. The company expects its current financial resources to fund operations into the first half of 2027.

NextCure announced that its SIM0505 program received FDA Fast Track designation for platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and will present initial Phase 1 data at ASCO 2026 on June 1. The company also initiated dose optimization for SIM0505 in gynecologic cancers and plans to expand trial sites into Canada and Europe. For Q1 2026, NextCure reported a net loss of $9.8 million, an improvement from the $11.0 million loss in Q1 2025, with cash reserves of $29.7 million expected to fund operations into the first half of 2027.

NextCure, Inc. and Simcere Zaiming Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. announced the initiation of the dose optimization portion of the Phase 1 study for SIM0505, an investigational antibody drug conjugate. The study will initially focus on patients with platinum-resistant ovarian cancer, for which SIM0505 has received FDA Fast Track designation. NextCure plans to present Phase 1 data at the upcoming 2026 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) conference and is expanding trial sites globally.

NextCure, Inc. announced its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held virtually on June 18, 2026. Key proposals include the election of two Class I directors, ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent auditor, an advisory vote on executive compensation, and the approval of an amendment to the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase authorized shares. The company also provided updates on its clinical product candidates, SIM0505 and LNCB74, with data readouts expected in Q2 and H2 2026, respectively.

NextCure, Inc. announced its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held virtually on June 18, 2026. Stockholders will vote on several key proposals, including the election of two Class I directors, the ratification of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm, and an advisory vote on executive compensation. Additionally, stockholders are asked to approve an amendment to the 2019 Omnibus Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance.