CASI Pharmaceuticals announced that James Huang will serve as the company’s Non‑Executive Chairman of the Board, effective November 17 2025, following a unanimous vote by the board. The appointment coincides with Dr. Wei‑Wu He’s transition from Executive Chairman to a regular board member, allowing the company to maintain continuity while refreshing its governance structure.
James Huang brings more than 35 years of experience building and investing in biopharma companies worldwide. He founded Panacea Venture, previously served as Managing Partner at Kleiner Perkins China and Vivo Ventures, and has held board positions at several other firms. His appointment as an independent director on October 1 2025 positioned him to step into the chair role, where he will provide strategic oversight without day‑to‑day operational responsibilities.
Dr. Wei‑Wu He has led CASI since 2012, serving as Chairman, Executive Chairman, and CEO. His long tenure has guided the company through early development stages and regulatory milestones, and his continued presence on the board will preserve institutional knowledge during the transition.
The board’s decision reflects a deliberate effort to strengthen governance and sharpen focus on the company’s lead asset, CID‑103, an anti‑CD38 monoclonal antibody targeting organ transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. James Huang stated, “It is an honor to assume the role of Non‑Executive Chairman and support the executive team focused on advancing CID‑103. Together, we remain committed to strategic planning, strong governance, and disciplined execution to increase long‑term shareholder value.” CEO David Cory added, “The board’s confidence in James underscores our shared vision for CID‑103 and our commitment to delivering on the therapeutic promise of this platform.”
CID‑103 has received FDA IND clearance for a Phase 1 study in renal allograft antibody‑mediated rejection and is recruiting for a Phase 1/2 study in immune thrombocytopenia. The company previously faced an FDA clinical hold on CID‑103, which it has been working to resolve. The leadership change is intended to bring fresh perspective to the clinical development roadmap while preserving the momentum built under Dr. He’s stewardship.
The appointment signals CASI’s intent to consolidate its governance framework and accelerate progress on its flagship program. By positioning an experienced biopharma investor as Non‑Executive Chairman, the company aims to enhance strategic oversight, support capital allocation decisions, and reinforce confidence among stakeholders as it navigates the complex regulatory and commercial landscape of CID‑103.
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