Company Description
NextCure, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXTC) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing medicines to treat cancer patients who do not respond to, or whose disease progresses on, existing therapies. The company emphasizes targeted therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), antibodies and proteins, and applies its understanding of biological pathways, biomarkers and cell interactions, including within the tumor microenvironment, to guide drug development.
NextCure is incorporated in Delaware and its common stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol NXTC. The company is based in Beltsville, Maryland. According to its public statements, NextCure focuses on advancing therapies that use differentiated mechanisms of action, with a particular emphasis on oncology and patients with limited treatment options.
Core focus on targeted oncology therapies
Across multiple press releases, NextCure describes itself as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel, first-in-class and best-in-class therapies to treat cancer. The company highlights ADCs as a central part of its strategy, using targeted delivery of cytotoxic payloads to tumor cells while seeking to manage safety and tolerability. Its programs are designed to leverage insights into how cells interact, how biomarkers correlate with disease, and how the tumor microenvironment influences treatment response.
NextCure reports that it aims to treat cancer patients who have not benefited from current therapies, including those whose disease has progressed despite standard treatments. This focus is reflected in its clinical programs for patients with advanced solid tumors and for tumor types that are often resistant or refractory to existing regimens.
Key clinical-stage ADC programs
NextCure’s public disclosures describe two main ADC programs in oncology:
- SIM0505 (CDH6 ADC) – NextCure states that SIM0505 is a novel antibody-drug conjugate directed to cadherin-6 (CDH6), featuring a proprietary topoisomerase 1 inhibitor (TOPOi) payload. The company reports that this payload is designed for broad anti-tumor activity, fast or high systemic clearance and a potentially improved therapeutic window. SIM0505 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors, with dose escalation initiated in China by partner Simcere Zaiming and expanded to the United States. NextCure has disclosed that it acquired global rights to SIM0505, excluding Greater China, where Simcere Zaiming retains rights.
- LNCB74 (B7-H4 ADC) – LNCB74 is described as a novel ADC directed to B7-H4, featuring a proprietary tumor-selective cleavable linker and a tubulin inhibitor monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) payload. NextCure reports that LNCB74 is being evaluated in a Phase 1, open-label, first-in-human study as monotherapy in participants with advanced solid tumors. The trial includes dose escalation and dose expansion or optimization components. The program is co-developed with LigaChem Biosciences Inc. (LigaChemBio) in a 50-50 cost share arrangement.
In its communications, NextCure notes that B7-H4 is an attractive ADC target due to high expression in multiple tumor types and limited expression in normal tissues, and that LNCB74 has shown potent anti-tumor activity and a favorable safety profile in preclinical models. For SIM0505, the company and its partner have reported early clinical activity and tolerability in Phase 1 studies.
Additional clinical and preclinical assets
Beyond its lead ADC programs, NextCure has disclosed several other assets:
- NC410 – Described as a LAIR-2 fusion protein. The company has stated that NC410 is a clinical program for which it is seeking partners.
- NC525 – Described as a LAIR-1 antibody. Like NC410, NC525 is identified as a clinical program for which NextCure is seeking partners.
- NC181 – A humanized antibody for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. NextCure has reported preclinical data showing amyloid clearance, prevention of amyloid deposition, plaque clearance and reduced neuroinflammation in models, and classifies NC181 as a preclinical non-oncology program.
- NC605 – A humanized anti-Siglec-15 antibody for the treatment of osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), a rare bone disorder. NextCure has presented preclinical data indicating that treatment with a surrogate murine antibody (NP159) improved bone microarchitecture and reduced fracture incidence in mice with moderate-to-severe OI, with increased bone mineral density and improved bone quality compared to controls. The company has stated that it is seeking financial support from partners or third parties to advance NC605 toward a potential Investigational New Drug submission.
These additional programs show that, while NextCure’s primary clinical focus is oncology, it also maintains preclinical efforts in non-oncology indications such as chronic bone diseases and neurodegenerative conditions.
Partnerships and collaborations
NextCure’s public announcements describe several collaborations that support its pipeline:
- Simcere Zaiming – NextCure has entered into a strategic partnership with Simcere Zaiming, an oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, for SIM0505. Under this collaboration, NextCure has global rights to SIM0505 outside Greater China, while Simcere Zaiming retains Greater China rights. The partnership also includes a license for NextCure to access Simcere Zaiming’s proprietary linker and TOPOi payload for a preclinical-stage ADC directed to a NextCure novel target, with Simcere Zaiming holding Greater China rights to that additional ADC. Simcere Zaiming has also made an equity investment in NextCure through a U.S. affiliate.
- LigaChem Biosciences Inc. (LigaChemBio) – NextCure reports that it is co-developing LNCB74 with LigaChemBio in a 50-50 cost share arrangement. LNCB74 is being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in advanced solid tumors, with dose escalation and planned expansion phases.
- Academic collaboration for NC605 – Preclinical data for NC605 in osteogenesis imperfecta were generated in collaboration with a researcher at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York, according to NextCure’s disclosures.
These collaborations provide access to proprietary ADC technologies, clinical development capabilities and external expertise in specific disease areas.
Capital markets activity and corporate actions
NextCure has reported several notable corporate and capital markets events in its SEC filings and press releases:
- Private placement (PIPE) financing – In November 2025, NextCure announced and then closed a private placement of common stock and pre-funded warrants to institutional and accredited investors. According to the company’s Form 8-K, the offering raised gross proceeds of approximately $21.5 million. The company stated that it intends to use the net proceeds for general working capital needs and that this financing, together with existing cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, is expected to fund planned operations into the first half of 2027, based on its assumptions.
- Reverse stock split – In July 2025, NextCure effected a one-for-twelve reverse stock split of its common stock, following stockholder approval of a reverse split proposal at the 2025 Annual Meeting. The company’s Form 8-K explains that the reverse split affected all outstanding shares and resulted in proportional adjustments to equity awards and plan share reserves, while leaving the total number of authorized shares unchanged. The common stock continued to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker NXTC on a split-adjusted basis.
- Annual Meeting matters – At its 2025 Annual Meeting, as reported in a Form 8-K, stockholders elected Class III directors, ratified the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm, approved executive compensation on an advisory basis, approved an annual frequency for say-on-pay votes, and approved the reverse split proposal.
NextCure has also reported changes in senior leadership, including the resignation of its Chief Scientific Officer in 2025, noting in its filing that the resignation was not due to any disagreement with the company’s operations, policies or practices.
Research and development orientation
Across its disclosures, NextCure emphasizes its strengths in understanding biological pathways, biomarkers and cell interactions, including in the tumor microenvironment, and how these factors influence biological responses. The company positions its R&D around differentiated mechanisms of action, particularly in ADCs and antibody-based therapies, and around patient populations with unmet medical needs, such as those with advanced solid tumors or rare bone diseases.
NextCure’s programs span multiple stages, from preclinical research (NC181, NC605 and certain ADCs) to early clinical development (LNCB74, SIM0505, NC410, NC525). The company has indicated that it is seeking partners for some of its non-core or earlier-stage programs, particularly NC410, NC525, NC181 and NC605.
Regulatory and financial reporting
As a Nasdaq-listed company, NextCure files periodic and current reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. In its 8-K filings referenced in the provided information, the company reports on material definitive agreements, unregistered sales of equity securities, reverse stock split implementation, Annual Meeting results, executive changes and quarterly financial results.
NextCure’s press releases regarding quarterly financial results include summaries of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities, research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses and net loss for the reported periods, as well as statements about expected cash runway based on its then-current financial resources and assumptions. The company also includes risk factor summaries and forward-looking statement disclaimers referencing its limited operating history, lack of approved commercial products, history of losses, need for additional financing, clinical development risks and Nasdaq listing considerations.
Position within biotechnology and R&D services
Based on the industry classification provided, NextCure operates in Research and Development in Biotechnology within the broader Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector. Its activities center on discovering and developing therapeutic candidates, conducting preclinical and clinical studies, and managing collaborations with other biopharmaceutical companies and research institutions.
NextCure’s focus on ADCs, antibodies and proteins, together with its emphasis on tumor microenvironment biology and biomarker-driven approaches, places it among clinical-stage biopharmaceutical companies working to translate research insights into targeted therapies. Its disclosures highlight both oncology and select non-oncology indications, with a concentration of clinical activity in advanced solid tumors and preclinical work in chronic bone disease and neurodegenerative conditions.
FAQs about NextCure, Inc. (NXTC)
- What does NextCure, Inc. do?
NextCure is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on discovering and developing medicines to treat cancer patients who do not respond to, or have disease progression on, existing therapies. It concentrates on targeted therapies, including antibody-drug conjugates, antibodies and proteins, informed by its understanding of biological pathways, biomarkers and cell interactions. - What are NextCure’s main clinical programs?
NextCure’s primary disclosed clinical programs include SIM0505, a CDH6-targeted antibody-drug conjugate featuring a topoisomerase 1 inhibitor payload, and LNCB74, a B7-H4-targeted ADC with a tumor-selective cleavable linker and an MMAE payload. Both are in Phase 1 studies in patients with advanced solid tumors. The company has also identified NC410 and NC525 as clinical programs for which it is seeking partners. - Does NextCure work on non-oncology indications?
Yes. While its main clinical focus is oncology, NextCure has disclosed preclinical programs outside oncology. NC181 is a humanized antibody for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and NC605 is a humanized anti-Siglec-15 antibody for osteogenesis imperfecta, a rare bone disorder. Preclinical data for NC605 have shown improved bone microarchitecture and reduced fracture incidence in mouse models. - What collaborations has NextCure announced?
NextCure has reported a strategic partnership with Simcere Zaiming for SIM0505, under which NextCure holds global rights outside Greater China and gains access to Simcere Zaiming’s proprietary linker and TOPOi payload for an additional ADC program. It is also co-developing LNCB74 with LigaChem Biosciences Inc. in a 50-50 cost share arrangement and has collaborated with an academic institution on preclinical work for NC605. - How is NextCure funded?
NextCure is a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Global Select Market and raises capital through equity offerings and private placements. In November 2025, it completed a private placement of common stock and pre-funded warrants, which it stated would extend its cash runway into the first half of 2027 based on its assumptions. The company also notes that it may seek additional financing and partnerships to support its programs. - What corporate actions has NextCure taken regarding its stock?
In July 2025, NextCure implemented a one-for-twelve reverse stock split of its common stock following stockholder approval. The reverse split affected all outstanding shares and related equity awards, while the number of authorized shares remained unchanged. The stock continued to trade on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol NXTC on a split-adjusted basis. - Where is NextCure located and how is it organized?
NextCure is incorporated in Delaware and reports its principal executive offices in Beltsville, Maryland. It operates as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company within the Research and Development in Biotechnology industry. - Does NextCure have any approved commercial products?
Based on the available information, NextCure describes itself as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company and notes in its risk disclosures that it does not have products approved for commercial sale. - What risks does NextCure highlight in its public statements?
In its forward-looking statement disclaimers and risk summaries, NextCure cites risks related to its limited operating history, lack of approved products, history of losses, need for additional financing, uncertainties in clinical development and regulatory approval, and the potential impact of these factors on its financial condition and ability to maintain its stock market listing. - Is NextCure seeking partners for any of its programs?
Yes. NextCure has stated that it is seeking partners for certain clinical programs, including NC410 and NC525, and for preclinical non-oncology programs such as NC605 and NC181. The company has also indicated that it is seeking financial support from partners or third parties to advance NC605 toward a potential Investigational New Drug submission.