On March 18, 2025 Exicure, Inc. (Nasdaq: XCUR) reported that it has historically been an early-stage biotechnology company focused on developing nucleic acid therapies targeting ribonucleic acid against validated targets (Press release, Exicure, MAR 18, 2025, View Source [SID1234651218]). In September 2022, the Company announced a significant reduction in force, suspension of preclinical activities and halting of all research and development, and that the Company was exploring strategic alternatives to maximize stockholder value. We continue to engage in a broader exploration of strategic alternatives. This effort involves exploring growth through transactions with potential partners that see opportunity in joining an existing, publicly-traded organization.
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2024 Financial Results
Cash Position: Cash and cash equivalents were $12.5 million as of December 31, 2024, as compared to $0.8 million as of December 31, 2023. Our current liquidity may not be sufficient to fund operations for the next 12 months. Additional financing will be needed to fund our ongoing operations and exploration of strategic alternatives and pursue any alternatives that we identify.
Research and Development (R&D) Expense: Research and development expenses were $0 for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $1.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in R&D expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 of $1.4 million reflects the stoppage of clinical, preclinical, and discovery program activities and a reduction in employee headcount in December 2021 and September 2022. The Company began exploring strategic alternatives in April 2023. As a result, the Company determined it was no longer appropriate to record any research and development expenses after the first quarter of 2023.
General and Administrative (G&A) Expense: General and administrative expenses were $5.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to $11.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in G&A expense of $6.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to higher costs in 2023 from separation pay of former executives and related stock based compensation expense, payroll and related benefits, legal and consulting fees, facility and lease costs, depreciation from assets sold, and the research and development wind down costs that no longer met the criteria to be classified as research and development due to the shift in our historical operations suspending all research and development activities as previous discussed.
Litigation legal expense: The increase of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to accruals recorded for the amount of the unsatisfied self insured retainer and legal defense costs related to the securities litigation lawsuit.
Other Income: The Company sold samples of its clinical products during the second quarter to a private clinical stage biopharmaceutical company and sold certain assets pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement. The Purchaser acquired the Company’s historical biotechnology intellectual property and other assets and include spherical nucleic acid-related technology, research and development programs, and clinical assets.
Net Loss: The Company had a net loss of $(9.7) million for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to a net loss of $16.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in net loss of $7.2 million was due to lower operating (G&A) expenses as well as some revenues and other income earned in 2024, partially offset by the right-of-use asset impairment loss resulted from the impairment analysis of the Company’s right-of-use asset related to its office lease.
Going Concern: Management believes that the Company’s existing cash and cash equivalents may not be sufficient to fund operations. As a result, there is substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Additional financing will be needed to fund our ongoing operations and exploration of strategic alternatives and pursue any alternatives that we identify. There can be no assurance that such additional financing will be available and, if available, can be obtained on acceptable terms.