Leadership shift at CASI (NASDAQ: CASI) as Global CMO role ends

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. filed a Form 6-K announcing that it has terminated the role of its Global Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alexander A. Zukiwski, without cause, effective April 20, 2026. The change is described as part of efforts to further streamline the company’s U.S. branches, personnel and related activities.

The company is seeking a new Global Chief Medical Officer to support its long-term business plan. In the interim, certain responsibilities previously handled by Dr. Zukiwski are being taken over by other team members, primarily by Dr. Junping Chen, the company’s China Chief Medical Officer.

Insights

Biopharma governance analyst

CASI reshapes senior medical leadership as part of ongoing U.S. streamlining.

CASI Pharmaceuticals discloses the termination, without cause, of its Global Chief Medical Officer, positioning this as part of previously announced streamlining of U.S. operations. Interim coverage of responsibilities by the China Chief Medical Officer suggests continuity for ongoing clinical and regulatory work.

The company plans to recruit a new Global Chief Medical Officer to support its long-term business plan, indicating that senior medical leadership remains strategically important. Actual impact will depend on how quickly a qualified successor is appointed and how smoothly responsibilities transition within the global clinical organization.

Key Terms

clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, monoclonal antibody, Form 6-K, forward-looking statements, +1 more

5 terms

clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company financial

"a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing CID-103"

A clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company develops drugs or medical therapies that are being tested in people in formal clinical trials but do not yet have any approved, marketed products. For investors, these firms behave like prototype makers: their value depends heavily on trial results and regulatory decisions, so they can swing widely on a single study, consume cash while testing, and offer either large upside if trials succeed or big downside if they fail.

monoclonal antibody technical

"CID-103, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, for patients"

A monoclonal antibody is a laboratory-made protein designed to recognize and attach to a specific target in the body, such as a disease-causing substance or cell. It functions like a highly precise lock-and-key tool, helping to treat or detect illnesses. For investors, companies developing monoclonal antibodies can represent promising opportunities in the healthcare sector, especially as these treatments often address unmet medical needs.

Form 6-K regulatory

"The information included in this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated"

A Form 6-K is a report that companies listed in certain countries file to provide important updates, such as financial results, corporate changes, or other significant information, to regulators and investors. It functions like an official company update or news release, helping investors stay informed about developments that could affect their investment decisions.

forward-looking statements regulatory

"This announcement contains forward-looking statements."

Forward-looking statements are predictions or plans that companies share about what they expect to happen in the future, like estimating sales or profits. They matter because they help investors understand a company's outlook, but since they are based on guesses and assumptions, they can sometimes be wrong.

U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 regulatory

"under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995"

A federal law that changed the rules for suing companies over securities claims by making it harder to bring class-action lawsuits and by protecting certain forward-looking statements. Think of it as a rulebook that raises the bar for plaintiffs to show clear evidence of wrongdoing and gives companies limited shelter for predictions, which matters to investors because it can reduce litigation risk, legal costs, and volatility tied to lawsuit headlines.

Form 6-K: How Foreign Companies Report to the SEC →

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE
13a-16 OR 15d-16 UNDER
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the month of April, 2026

Commission File Number  001-41666

CASI PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

1701-1702, China Central Office Tower 1

No. 81 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District

Beijing, 100025

People’s Republic of China

(Address of principal executive office)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.  Form 20-F  x Form 40-F  ¨

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The information included in this Report on Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statements on Form F-3 (File No. 333-283998 and No. 333-281621) (including any prospectuses forming a part of such registration statement) and is to be a part thereof from the date on which this Report on Form 6-K is filed, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

CASI Pharmaceuticals Announces Change to the Management

CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NASDAQ: CASI, the “Company”), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing CID-103, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody, for patients with organ transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases, today reported that as part of the efforts to further streamline the Company’s branches, personnel and related activities in the United States as previously announced, the Company and Dr. Alexander A. Zukiwski, MD, the Company’s Global Chief Medical Officer, have entered into an agreement with respect to the termination of Dr. Zukiwski’ s role without cause, effective as of April 20, 2026.

The Company is in search of a suitable candidate for the position of the Global Chief Medical Officer for its long-term business plan. Currently certain of Dr. Zukiwski’s responsibilities are assumed by other members of the Company’s current team, mostly by Dr. Junping Chen, MD, PhD, current China Chief Medical Officer of the Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “confident” and similar statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this announcement, as well as the Company’s strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company’s beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All information provided herein is as of the date of this announcement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained herein.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	CASI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
	By:	/s/ Wei-Wu He
	Name:	Wei-Wu He
	Title:	Chairman to the Board
Date: April 20, 2026

FAQ

What management change did CASI (CASI) disclose in this Form 6-K?

CASI Pharmaceuticals disclosed that its Global Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Alexander A. Zukiwski, had his role terminated without cause, effective April 20, 2026. The company ties this change to ongoing efforts to streamline its U.S. branches, personnel, and related activities.

Why is CASI (CASI) changing its Global Chief Medical Officer role?

CASI states the termination of the Global Chief Medical Officer role is part of broader efforts to streamline its U.S. branches, personnel, and related activities. The move aligns with previously announced restructuring initiatives rather than being framed as performance-related or cause-based.

Who is handling CASI’s medical responsibilities after Dr. Zukiwski’s departure?

Following Dr. Zukiwski’s departure, CASI indicates that his responsibilities are being assumed by other team members, primarily by Dr. Junping Chen, the company’s China Chief Medical Officer. This interim arrangement is intended to maintain continuity while the company searches for a new global medical leader.

Is CASI (CASI) planning to replace the Global Chief Medical Officer?

Yes. CASI notes it is in search of a suitable candidate for the Global Chief Medical Officer position to support its long-term business plan. This indicates the role remains strategically important, even as the company streamlines certain U.S. operations.

What business focus does CASI (CASI) highlight alongside this management change?

CASI describes itself as a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing CID-103, an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody for organ transplant rejection and autoimmune diseases. This therapeutic focus remains central as the company adjusts senior medical leadership and operational structure.

Does CASI’s announcement include any forward-looking statements?

Yes. The company notes the announcement contains forward-looking statements under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, referencing its strategic and operational plans. It cautions that various risks could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements.