NextCure, Inc. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing medicines to treat cancer. Its product candidate LNCB74 is a B7-H4 targeted ADC designed to kill tumors. The company also develops NC410, a LAIR-2 fusion protein intended to block immune suppression mediated by LAIR-1; NC525, a novel LAIR-1 antibody targeting acute myeloid leukemia, blast cells, and leukemic stem cells; NC181, a humanized antibody targeting ApoE4 for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease; and NC605, an antibody targeting Siglec-15, as well as chronic bone diseases such as osteoarthritis and non-union fractures. In addition, it develops SIM0505, a novel antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) targeting CDH6 (cadherin-6 or K-cadherin) for the treatment of solid tumors. The company was incorporated in 2015 and is headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland.
RTW Bio's Avere to merge with NextCure in all-stock deal
RTW Biotech Opportunities Ltd. announced that its private portfolio company Avere Therapeutics agreed to merge with NextCure Inc. in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will operate as Avere Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker AVRX, with the deal expected to close by year-end. Avere is also raising a total of $820 million through two private placements, including a previously announced $320 million placement and a new $500 million placement. RTW Bio will participate in both offerings, with its total investment expected to be $5.9 million. The proceeds are intended to fund Avere's lead asset, AVR-001, through a Phase 2b readout in psoriasis, the initiation of a Phase 3 psoriasis trial, and a Phase 2b trial in ulcerative colitis. This marks RTW Bio's fourth reverse merger of 2026, following Yarrow Bioscience, Obsidian Therapeutics, and Serapha Bio. Avere represented 0.3% of RTW Bio's NAV as of June 30, following the first $320 million private placement.
Ademi LLP investigates NextCure merger with Avere Therapeutics over fairness to public shareholders
Ademi LLP is investigating NextCure for possible breaches of fiduciary duty in its recently announced transaction with Avere Therapeutics. Under the merger terms, pre-merger NextCure stockholders are expected to hold approximately 1.21% of the combined company, while pre-merger Avere stockholders will hold approximately 98.79%. NextCure stockholders will also receive a contingent value right entitling them to 90% of net proceeds from any monetization of NextCure's pipeline assets over two years following closing. The investigation focuses on whether the NextCure board is fulfilling its fiduciary duties, particularly given that insiders will receive substantial benefits as part of change of control arrangements and the transaction agreement imposes a significant penalty if NextCure accepts a competing bid.
NXTC · Capital · Negative Merger terms give NextCure stockholders only 1.21% of combined company, diluting their stake, and investigation suggests board may have breached fiduciary duties.
Avere Therapeutics, Inc. · Capital · Positive Avere stockholders will hold 98.79% of combined company, gaining control and substantial value from the merger.
NextCure Soars Over 200% on Merger Deal with Avere Therapeutics
NextCure shares surged more than 200% on Tuesday after the company announced a definitive all-stock merger agreement with privately held Avere Therapeutics. The combined company will operate as Avere Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker AVRX, with the deal expected to close in the second half of 2026. Avere's lead program, AVR-001, is an oral IL-23 receptor antagonist with Phase 1b psoriasis data, and a Phase 2b study is set to begin in early 2027. Other notable biotech gainers included Basel Medical Group, which rose over 26% after regaining Nasdaq compliance, and Outlook Therapeutics, up more than 11% ahead of a July 29 FDA decision on its wet AMD treatment ONS-5010.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Autoimmune & Immunology Therapeutics Competition
NXTC · Capital · Positive NextCure announced a definitive all-stock merger with Avere Therapeutics, driving the stock surge.
BMGL · Regulation · Positive Basel Medical Group rose over 26% after regaining Nasdaq compliance.
OTLK · Regulation · Neutral Outlook Therapeutics is mentioned as a gainer ahead of an FDA decision on its wet AMD treatment, but the article does not provide the outcome.
Halper Sadeh LLC Investigates NextCure Merger Over Fair Price Concerns
Halper Sadeh LLC, an investor rights law firm, is investigating the merger of NextCure, Inc. with Avere Therapeutics, Inc. over concerns that NextCure shareholders may not be receiving a fair price. Upon closing of the proposed transaction, NextCure shareholders are expected to own approximately 1.21% of the combined company. The investigation focuses on whether NextCure and its board violated federal securities laws or breached fiduciary duties by failing to obtain the best possible price, conduct a fair sales process, or disclose all material information. Halper Sadeh may seek increased consideration, additional disclosures, or other relief on behalf of shareholders.
NXTC · Regulation · Negative Investigation over merger fairness and potential securities law violations creates legal risk and may reduce shareholder value.
NextCure and Avere Therapeutics announce all-stock merger to advance oral IL-23 therapy
NextCure and privately-held Avere Therapeutics have entered into a definitive all-stock merger agreement to advance Avere's oral IL-23 receptor antagonist, AVR-001. The combined company will operate as Avere Therapeutics and trade on Nasdaq under the ticker AVRX upon closing, expected in the second half of 2026. A concurrent 320 million dollar private placement led by Fairmount and Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group, with participation from Venrock Healthcare Capital Partners, General Atlantic, Wellington Management, and RTW Investments, includes 251 million dollars in convertible notes to be exchanged for common stock at closing. The capital is expected to fund operations through a Phase 2b readout in psoriasis, initiation of a Phase 3 trial in psoriasis, and a Phase 2b trial in ulcerative colitis. The leadership team, including CEO Andrew Cheng, previously guided Akero Therapeutics from pre-IPO through its 5.2 billion dollar sale to Novo Nordisk in 2025. NextCure's stock surged over 280 percent in pre-market trading following the announcement.
Biotech & Genomic Medicine › Autoimmune & Immunology Therapeutics ▲Competition
NXTC · Capital · Positive NextCure is the acquiring company in an all-stock merger with Avere, and its stock surged over 280% in pre-market trading on the deal and concurrent $320M private placement.
Avere Therapeutics, Inc. · Capital · Positive Avere is the private company being acquired in the merger, gaining access to public markets and significant funding to advance its oral IL-23 therapy through Phase 2b/3 trials.
Zacks Highlights Autolus, NextCure, and Recursion as Oncology Stocks to Watch
Zacks Investment Research identifies Autolus Therapeutics, NextCure, and Recursion Pharmaceuticals as three cancer-focused stocks worth evaluating amid accelerating oncology innovation. Autolus, a commercial-stage company, markets the CAR-T therapy Aucatzyl for relapsed or refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and has guided 2026 net product revenues of $120-$135 million. NextCure is advancing two lead antibody-drug conjugate programs, including SIM0505, which showed a 55% objective response rate in heavily pretreated gynecologic cancers in early data. Recursion Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage TechBio company, is developing a pipeline of precision oncology candidates, with its most advanced asset REC-1245 showing encouraging early safety and pharmacokinetic data. All three stocks carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
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