Biotech Rally Shines Bright: Key Movers Powered by Clinical Wins and Strategic Announcements

Exicure’s Breakthrough Delivers Explosive Gains

The biotech sector lit up during Monday’s after-hours session, with Exicure, Inc. (XCUR) stealing the spotlight. The stock exploded 72.61%, jumping from $5.33 to $9.20—a gain of $3.87 per share. This dramatic move came on the heels of the company unveiling positive Phase 2 trial outcomes for burixafor (GPC-100), a therapy combining propranolol and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF).

The clinical achievement marks a significant milestone: approximately 90% of trial participants hit the primary endpoint in mobilizing hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) among patients with multiple myeloma who underwent autologous hematopoietic cell transplantation (AHCT). Exicure presented these compelling results at the 67th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida, providing the foundation for the stock’s powerful rally.

Assembly Biosciences and Wave Life Sciences Drive Secondary Momentum

Assembly Biosciences, Inc. (ASMB) demonstrated solid strength with a 5.96% after-hours jump to $37.49, adding $2.11. The company’s strong showing followed positive interim Phase 1b study results for its long-acting herpes simplex virus (HSV) helicase-primase inhibitors. Investors particularly noted the first disclosed findings for ABI-1179 with weekly oral dosing and ABI-5366 featuring monthly oral dosing—an advancement building on previous positive data from the same program.

Wave Life Sciences Ltd. (WVE) experienced even more dramatic regular-session action, surging 147.26% to close at $18.52 before gaining an additional 4.97% after hours to $19.44. The catalyst stemmed from the company’s announcement of a $250 million underwritten public offering of ordinary shares and pre-funded warrants, with underwriters receiving a 30-day option to acquire up to 15% more of the offering.

Broader Market Movement Across the Biotech Landscape

Several other biotech names participated in the sector-wide momentum during extended trading. iBio, Inc. (IBIO) climbed 8.38% after hours to $1.81, though the stock had already delivered an impressive 39.17% gain during regular trading hours at $1.67. Metagenomi, Inc. (MGX) advanced 7.18% after hours to $1.94 after closing at $1.81 during the day’s regular session, up 1.69%.

DiaMedica Therapeutics Inc. (DMAC) posted a 4.77% after-hours increase to $9.18, adding $0.42 per share. BioAtla, Inc. (BCAB) rose 4.81% to $0.85 during extended trading. Cartesian Therapeutics, Inc. (RNAC) ticked up 6.55% after hours to $7.16, gaining $0.44, while ProMIS Neurosciences, Inc. (PMN) climbed 3.02% to $7.85 after a regular-session decline.

Artiva Biotherapeutics, Inc. (ARTV) recovered from an 8.33% regular-session loss to post a 10.39% after-hours rebound to $3.40. The mixed performance across the group underscores the selective nature of the biotech rally, with clinical data and capital events emerging as the primary drivers of stock performance in Monday’s extended session.