NextCure's ADC Pipeline Advances With Extended Funding Into 2027

NextCure Inc. (NXTC) has demonstrated sustained progress across its ADC pipeline while securing financial resources to fuel operations well into the first half of 2027. The company’s two antibody-drug conjugate programs are moving forward in Phase 1 clinical studies, reinforcing its commitment to developing targeted cancer therapies for patient populations with severely limited treatment options. With solid funding backing and disciplined pipeline execution, NextCure is positioning itself to deliver clinical data that could reshape treatment paradigms for gynecological and breast cancers over the coming months.

Dual-Targeted ADC Strategy Addresses High Unmet Cancer Needs

NextCure’s clinical strategy centers on two distinct cancer-associated antigens—CDH6 and B7-H4—both of which show minimal expression in healthy tissues while being overexpressed in multiple tumor types. This dual-pronged approach targets acute solid tumors where conventional therapies have proven insufficient, particularly in platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and triple-negative breast cancer. By focusing on these high-need indications, the company’s pipeline reflects a deliberate approach to addressing genuine gaps in oncology treatment, where survival outcomes remain suboptimal despite recent therapeutic innovations.

SIM0505 Progresses Toward Mid-2026 Clinical Readout

The company’s first ADC candidate, SIM0505, is advancing through an open-label Phase 1 dose-escalation study targeting platinum-resistant ovarian cancer and other advanced solid tumors. This novel candidate is directed against cadherin-6 and employs a proprietary topoisomerase-1 inhibitor payload designed to maximize anti-tumor activity while enabling rapid clearance from systemic circulation. NextCure expects to present Phase 1 findings in the second quarter of 2026, incorporating data from patient cohorts enrolled across both the U.S. and China. In preparation for dose optimization studies slated for the first half of 2026, the company is actively expanding its clinical site network and augmenting drug supply capabilities. It’s worth noting that NextCure retains global development rights to SIM0505 outside of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan—territories where partner Simcere Zaiming maintains rights.

LNCB74 Enters Higher Dosing Cohorts With Expanded Patient Focus

The second pillar of NextCure’s ADC pipeline, LNCB74, targets B7-H4 using a tumor-selective cleavable linker paired with an MMAE payload to enhance targeted cell killing. Recent protocol amendments implemented in November 2025 have cleared the way for progression into higher-dose cohorts. The trial is now prioritizing enrollment of patients with high B7-H4 expression—particularly those with breast and gynecological cancers—while also exploring adenoid cystic carcinoma type 1. A key difference from SIM0505: proof-of-concept data initially expected in the first half of 2026 has been deferred to accommodate expanded enrollment, with a comprehensive trial update now projected for the second half of 2026. NextCure shares global co-development rights to LNCB74 on a 50-50 cost-share basis with partner LigaChem Biosciences, a structure that distributes both financial obligations and upside potential equitably.

Financial Runway Supports Full Pipeline Development Through H1 2027

As of December 31, 2025, NextCure reported preliminary cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities totaling approximately $41.8 million. While these unaudited figures remain subject to final adjustment, management projects that current capital reserves will sufficiently fund planned pipeline development activities through the first half of 2027. This extended runway reflects disciplined expense management and strategic partnerships that share development costs, enabling NextCure to advance both ADC candidates simultaneously without near-term financing pressure. Over the past twelve months, NXTC shares have traded between $2.69 and $15.74, with the stock closing at $12.65 at the prior trading session.