CHA Biotech released the topline results of the phase 1 clinical trial of CBT101, a natural killer (NK) cell therapy to treat solid cancer, on Thursday.

CBT101 is experimental immunotherapy made by multiplying the patient’s NK cells that play a significant role in congenital immunity.

CHA Biotech said it used its original cell culture technology to enhance NK cells’ proliferation by about 2,000 times and raised the activity of NK cells from 5-10 percent up to 90 percent.

In the latest trial, the company confirmed the safety and tolerability of CBT101 in solid cancer patients who underwent tumor resection and completed adjuvant therapy.

CHA Biotech investigated adverse events in six patients, and three showed adverse reactions. However, the company said they were all mild and unrelated to CBT101.

The company said it planned to submit the final report of the trial to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety on March 29.

Based on the phase 1 trial outcome, the company will conduct a phase 2 study in patients with recurrent glioblastoma in Korea. Then, it will push for a U.S. trial based on local clinical data, it said.

CHA Biotech CEO Oh Sang-hoon said once the company completes the phase 2 trial, it will work with Matica Biotechnology, a U.S. subsidiary of CHA Biotech involved in the cell/gene therapy CDMO business, to enter the global market.