Biotech Rally in After-Hours: Exicure Soars 72% on Trial Success, Multiple Stocks Advance

After-hours market movers in the biotech sector lit up Monday evening, with several companies delivering impressive gains that caught investor attention. Leading the charge was Exicure, Inc. (XCUR), which exploded 72.61% to reach $9.20 in after-hours trading—a jump of $3.87 from its $5.33 regular-session close.

The Star Performer: Exicure’s Breakthrough Results

The dramatic surge followed Exicure’s announcement of compelling Phase 2 trial data for burixafor (GPC-100), tested in combination with propranolol and G-CSF. The therapy showed remarkable efficacy in mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells in multiple myeloma patients undergoing stem cell transplantation, with approximately 90% of trial participants hitting the primary endpoint. These findings, unveiled at the 67th American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting in Orlando, represented a significant clinical validation that market participants rewarded immediately.

Assembly and Wave Life Lead the Pack

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (ASMB) secured the second-strongest performance, climbing 5.96% in after-hours action to $37.49, adding $2.11 to a regular-session close of $35.38. The company revealed positive interim Phase 1b data from dual studies of its investigational long-acting herpes simplex virus helicase-primase inhibitors, including first-of-a-kind weekly oral dosing results for ABI-1179 and monthly formulation data for ABI-5366.

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE) demonstrated even more explosive regular-session momentum, surging 147.26% to close at $18.52 before extending gains another 4.97% after-hours to $19.44. The company’s announcement of a $250 million underwritten public offering of ordinary shares and pre-funded warrants—with underwriters holding a 30-day option for an additional 15%—fueled both sessions’ enthusiasm.

The Broader After-Hours Momentum

Beyond the top performers, other after-hours market movers showed more moderate but still notable advances. Metagenomi, Inc. (MGX) gained 7.18% to $1.94, while DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (DMAC) rose 4.77% to $9.18. ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (PMN) climbed 3.02% to $7.85, supported by a recent publication highlighting advances in plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease trials.

Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (RNAC) added 6.55% to reach $7.16, while iBio, Inc. (IBIO) advanced 8.38% to $1.81 following an impressive 39.17% regular-session rally. BioAtla, Inc. (BCAB) rounded out the gainers with a 4.81% after-hours move to $0.85.

Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARTV) provided a notable recovery story, rising 10.39% after-hours to $3.40 despite an 8.33% decline during regular trading that saw it close at $3.08.

The after-hours market movers demonstrated biotech’s continued sensitivity to clinical catalysts and financing announcements, with investors rewarding companies demonstrating clinical progress or accessing capital markets capital.