Ascletis Selects a Best-in-Class Once-Monthly Subcutaneously Administered Amylin Receptor Agonist, ASC36, for Clinical Development

Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. has selected ASC36 as a clinical development candidate for obesity treatment, with an Investigational New Drug Application (IND) submission expected in Q2 2026 [3][4][7] Group 1: Drug Development and Efficacy - ASC36 is a once-monthly, subcutaneously administered amylin receptor agonist, demonstrating a half-life of approximately 15 days in non-human primate studies, which is three times longer than petrelintide [1][4] - In a diet-induced obese rat study, ASC36 achieved a body weight reduction of 10.01%, compared to 5.25% for petrelintide, indicating a 91% greater relative efficacy [5][6] - The drug's formulation allows for co-formulation with other peptides, such as ASC35, enhancing its therapeutic potential [2][7] Group 2: Technological Advancements - ASC36 was developed using Ascletis' Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies, which facilitate the design of ultra-long-acting peptides [4][9] - The engineered properties of ASC36 support scalability advantages in manufacturing, contributing to its potential as a best-in-class treatment for obesity [5][7] Group 3: Company Strategy and Future Plans - Ascletis aims to develop ASC36 as a cornerstone therapy for cardio-metabolic diseases, with plans for combination therapies involving ASC35 [8] - A conference call is scheduled for October 30, 2025, to discuss further developments [10]