Exicure Planning for a New Clinical Trial in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Exicure (XCUR) has announced plans for a new clinical trial of its lead asset GPC-100 (burixafor) in Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). The CXCR4 inhibitor has shown promise when combined with modern AML treatments. A previous Phase 1 study with 15 relapsed/refractory AML patients evaluated GPC-100's safety and preliminary efficacy in combination with fludarabine and cytarabine.

Recent preclinical data presented at the 2024 ASH Annual Meeting demonstrated improved chemotherapy response through dual inhibition of CXCR4 with GPC-100 and beta-2 adrenergic receptor blockade. The company has secured patents for this approach in multiple countries.

GPC-100 is currently in a Phase 2 trial for multiple myeloma patients undergoing autologous stem cell transplant, with results expected in Q4 2025. Exicure is also exploring potential expansions into sickle cell disease, pediatric oncology, and cell and gene therapy applications.

https://www.stocktitan.net/news/XCUR/exicure-inc-nasdaq-xcur-announces-their-next-step-in-planning-for-a-6pizen3pbgbl.html

Trump planning to stockpile deep-sea minerals to counter China: FT

 US President Donald Trump is in the process of drafting an executive order that would enable America to stockpile the wealth of critical minerals found on the Pacific Ocean seabed, the Financial Times reported on Saturday.

The move is aimed at countering Chinese global dominance in the critical minerals sector by tapping into a largely unexploited part of the Earth. The polymetallic nodules formed on the sea floor are said to contain rich amounts of nickel, cobalt, copper and manganese used in batteries, as well as traces of rare earth minerals, a group of 17 elements required to build high-tech applications.

China is currently by far the world’s biggest supplier of rare earth minerals, accounting for nearly 70% of the global production, the US Geological Survey estimates. The Asian nation also controls about 90% of the world’s processing of rare earths, and is a world leader in the processing of battery metals.

The executive order, according to FT, would allow the US government to build a “strategic reserve” of these critical minerals, like it had done with gold and oil. The plan is to “create large quantities ready and available on US territory to be used in the future” in case of a conflict with China that might constrain imports of metals and rare earths, the FT sources said.

Amid escalating trade tensions between the two countries in recent months, China has already leveraged its supply dominance by placing export restrictions on some rare earth minerals.

The critical minerals stockpile is part of a broader push to fast-track deep-sea mining applications under US law, and to create onshore processing capacity, the FT report added. It coincides with a Reuters report earlier this month that the Trump administration is considering an executive order to accelerate seabed mining by allowing companies to bypass authorities backed by the United Nations and seek permits directly from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Like the US, China also has ambitions to mine the ocean floor, and according to reports, is poised to lead the “race to the bottom”.

As for the minerals found onshore, Trump signed an executive order last month to activate the Defense Production Act with the aim of boosting domestic mining and processing of critical minerals and making the US less reliant on China.

https://www.mining.com/trump-planning-to-stockpile-deep-sea-minerals-to-counter-china-ft/

Japan Doesn’t Plan to Use US Treasuries as Tariff Talk Leverage

  Japan isn’t planning to use its US Treasury holdings as a negotiation tool to counter US tariffs in talks scheduled between the two governments for April 17.

“As an ally, we would not intentionally take action against US government bonds, and causing market disruption is certainly not a good idea,” Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Itsunori Onodera said on public broadcaster NHK Sunday.

A pullback from US Treasuries last week sent longer-term yields surging by the most since the pandemic struck in 2020, deepening losses in what’s supposed to be a haven from financial turmoil. Some investors speculated that global reserve managers including China could be re-evaluating their positions in US government debt given the impact of US President Donald Trump’s trade policies.

Japanese negotiators are seeking an exemption from the reciprocal tariffs that went into effect April 9, while the US is pushing for concessions on agricultural products and liquefied natural gas. Historically a close ally of the US, Japan has been hit with a 24% rate, while its auto industry — the cornerstone of its economy — must pay 25%.

Onodera said Japan should raise the issue of US tariffs with the World Trade Organization. He also highlighted the plight of regional neighbors, many of which were struck by some of the highest tariffs globally, and said Japan would work to strengthen cooperation among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/japan-doesn-t-plan-us-034607807.html

Trump will explain tariffs on electronics on Monday

 President Donald Trump on Sunday said there will be no exceptions for tariffs on electronics and that he would clarify his administration's policy on Monday.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced late Friday that some smartphones, computers, chips and other electronics would be exempted from tariffs, but Trump's top economic advisers hit the Sunday talk shows to explain the policy, saying that tariffs against electronics would be coming in the next month or two.

“There was no Tariff ‘exemption’ announced on Friday," Trump posted Sunday afternoon, and that semiconductor tariffs will “just be moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket.’”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/trump-tariffs-live-updates-us-stronger-despite-market/

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC mulls bid for Aethon's US natgas assets

 Abu Dhabi state oil company ADNOC is in the early stages of considering a bid for investment firm Aethon Energy Management's U.S. natural gas assets, according to a person familiar with the matter.

ADNOC has done a string of acquisitions in gas and chemicals, which along with LNG and renewables it considers as pillars for its future growth.

Last year, the energy giant bought a stake in NextDecade (NASDAQ:NEXT)'s liquefied natural gas export project in Texas along with a 20-year supply deal.

Deliberations regarding the U.S. energy-focused investment firm's assets also involve other parties, the source added.

Reuters in November reported that Aethon was exploring options for its natural gas production and midstream assets that included a sale or an initial public offering at a valuation of about $10 billion.

The upstream assets of Aethon, which primarily focus on the Haynesville shale formation in Louisiana and East Texas, constitute one of the largest privately held U.S. gas producers.

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/abu-dhabis-adnoc-mulls-bid-for-aethons-us-natgas-assets-bloomberg-news-reports-3981896

South Korea’s POSCO considers joining Hyundai Steel’s $5.8 billion steel plant project in US

 South Korean steelmaker POSCO (NYSE:PKX) is considering joining a project by Hyundai Steel (KS:004020) to build a $5.8 billion plant in Louisiana as the country’s steel industry tries to respond to U.S. tariffs on the sector, news reports said on Sunday.

Hyundai Steel said it did not have any comment on the matter.

POSCO said the company was considering various strategic options regarding its investment in the United States, but nothing had yet been decided.

https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/south-koreas-posco-considers-joining-hyundai-steels-58-billion-steel-plant-project-in-us-reports-say-3982497

Trump denies tariff exception for electronics, says 20% rate still applies

 U.S. President Donald Trump pushed back on reports that certain electronics had been exempted from his sweeping tariff plan, saying in a Truth Social post that products like smartphones and laptops are still subject to existing 20% fentanyl-related tariffs.

The White House, however, confirmed late Friday that smartphones, computers, and other tech components were excluded from the latest round of reciprocal tariffs, according to updated guidance from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“These products are subject to the existing 20% Fentanyl Tariffs, and they are just moving to a different Tariff ‘bucket,’” Trump wrote, adding that upcoming national security investigations will target semiconductors and the broader electronics supply chain.

“Nobody is off the hook for unfair trade—especially not China,” he added.

Earlier today, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said that smartphones, computers, and certain other electronics will be subject to a separate set of tariffs, including semiconductors, which could be implemented within the next month.

The apparent contradiction came after Trump imposed 145% tariffs on a wide range of Chinese goods earlier this month, a move that raised concerns for major U.S. tech companies like Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL), which relies heavily on Chinese manufacturing.

The updated guidance from CBP late Friday evening listed temporary exemptions for a range of electronics and components, including semiconductors, solar cells, flat-panel displays, flash drives, and memory cards.

The White House said Saturday the exclusions were intended to give U.S. companies time to shift production stateside.

“At the direction of the President, these companies are hustling to onshore their manufacturing in the United States as soon as possible,” said White House deputy press secretary Kush Desai.

“President Trump has made it clear America cannot rely on China to manufacture critical technologies such as semiconductors, chips, smartphones, and laptops.”

https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/trump-denies-tariff-exception-for-electronics-says-20-rate-still-applies-3982529