Exicure (NASDAQ:XCUR) (NASDAQ: XCUR) is a clinical‐stage biotechnology company specializing in the development of innovative spherical nucleic acid (SNA) therapeutics. The company’s proprietary SNA platform is designed to enhance cellular uptake and stability of nucleic acids, enabling targeted treatment of neurological disorders, oncology indications, and immuno‐inflammatory diseases. By leveraging its unique chemistry and nanoparticle design, Exicure aims to overcome traditional obstacles in nucleic acid delivery and broaden the therapeutic potential of gene regulation technologies.
The company’s pipeline includes multiple research and development programs spanning distinct disease areas. Lead candidates are advancing through preclinical and early clinical studies, focusing on activation of immune pathways such as the STING (stimulator of interferon genes) and RIG‐I (retinoic acid–inducible gene I) signaling cascades for cancer immunotherapy. In parallel, Exicure is exploring neurology assets targeting central nervous system disorders through direct delivery to the brain, with the goal of addressing conditions that have historically lacked effective treatments.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Chicago, Exicure was built upon technology originally developed at Northwestern University’s International Institute for Nanotechnology. The company has established strategic partnerships and research collaborations with global pharmaceutical firms to accelerate its SNA programs. Its operations are concentrated in the United States, with research facilities in Illinois and collaborative research sites in Europe and Asia supporting discovery and translational efforts.
Exicure’s leadership team features Chief Executive Officer James “Jim” Rogers, who brings extensive experience in biopharmaceutical development, and Chief Financial Officer Heather Lin, an expert in capital markets and corporate finance. The executive team is supported by a board of directors comprised of seasoned biotech entrepreneurs and academic leaders. Together, they guide the company’s strategic growth, regulatory planning, and clinical execution to advance SNA-based therapeutics toward commercialization.
