By Fineline Cube 
Novatim Immune Therapeutics (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd., a leading Chinese cancer‑immunotherapy firm, announced an exclusive licensing deal with VRise Therapeutics of the United States. The agreement gives VRise the sole rights to develop, register, and commercialise KQ‑2003—the world’s first parallel‑enhanced dual‑targeted CAR‑T cell therapy—in the Indian market.
Deal Highlights
- Targeted Indications – VRise will pursue KQ‑2003 for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (rrMM) and will explore its potential in autoimmune diseases across India.
- Financial Structure – Novatim receives an upfront payment, milestone payments at R&D, registration, and commercialization stages, and a tiered royalty ranging from a high single‑digit to double‑digit percentage of net product sales.
- Exclusivity – The license is exclusive to India, covering both development and market launch.
KQ‑2003 – A Next‑Generation CAR‑T
- Dual‑Target Design – KQ‑2003 simultaneously targets BCMA and CD19, leveraging Novatim’s enhanced dual‑target platform.
- Improved Persistence – Parallel structural optimisation and signal‑domain refinement increase CAR‑T durability and anti‑tumour activity while lowering relapse risk.
- Clinical Status – The product is currently in Phase 1/2a trials in China, with early data showing robust efficacy in rrMM and POEMS syndrome.
Strategic Implications
- Market Expansion – The partnership positions Novatim to tap India’s rapidly growing CAR‑T market, while VRise gains a cutting‑edge product with strong differentiation.
- Revenue Growth – Exclusive licensing and royalty terms could generate multi‑million‑dollar upside for Novatim, while VRise gains a high‑potential therapy early in its Indian pipeline.
- Innovation Leadership – KQ‑2003’s dual‑target technology underscores Novatim’s commitment to next‑generation immunotherapies, potentially setting a new standard for CAR‑T efficacy.-Fineline Info & Tech