Ascletis Announces Positive Interim Results from Its U.S. Phase Ib Trial with ASC30, a Potentially First-in-Class Subcutaneous Injection Small Molecule GLP-1R Agonist

Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. announced positive interim results from a Phase Ib study of ASC30, a small molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, demonstrating a 36-day half-life for its ultra-long-acting subcutaneous injection formulation in patients with obesity [2][4][8] - The oral tablet formulation of ASC30 showed a potential best-in-class weight loss of 6.3% after four weeks of treatment [5] Group 1: Study Results - The Phase Ib study involved three ultra-long-acting subcutaneous injection formulations of ASC30, with one formulation achieving a 36-day half-life, supporting less frequent administration [3][4] - The study included eight patients receiving the ASC30 formulation and two on placebo, indicating a well-structured clinical trial design [3] Group 2: Safety Profile - ASC30 SQ injection was well tolerated, with no serious adverse events reported and the majority of gastrointestinal-related adverse events being mild [6] - No significant elevations in liver enzymes or abnormal findings in laboratory tests were observed, indicating a favorable safety profile [6] Group 3: Product Development - ASC30 is designed for both once-daily oral and once-monthly subcutaneous administration, providing flexibility in treatment options for obesity [7][9] - The formulation is stable around neutral pH, allowing for potential co-formulation with other drugs, which could enhance its therapeutic applications [4] Group 4: Market Implications - The once-monthly injection could significantly reduce the number of devices and cartridges needed compared to weekly injectables, potentially improving patient compliance and convenience [8] - The unique properties of ASC30 as a small molecule GLP-1R biased agonist position it favorably in the obesity treatment market [9][10]