Juventas, a partner of CASI Pharmaceuticals Inc (Nasdaq: CASI), has completed the equivalent of USD65m financing and has commenced and enrolled the first patient in a Phase II registration study for CNCT19 (CD19 CAR-T) in China in patients with relapsed or refractory B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, it was reported on Wednesday.

The product is aimed at CD19, a B-cell surface protein widely expressed during all phases of B-cell development and a validated target for B-cell driven haematological malignancies. It is the most frequently used target in the CAR-T cell therapy clinical trials for haematological malignancies such as leukaemia and lymphoma.

Juventas is responsible for the development of CNCT19. Both firms are to co-commercialise the product under the direction of the program's joint steering committee.