Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. announced positive topline results from a Phase I clinical trial for ASC50, an oral small molecule inhibitor targeting IL-17, indicating favorable safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics [3][5][7] Group 1: Clinical Trial Results - The Phase I clinical trial was randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, involving 46 healthy participants who received varying doses of ASC50 [3] - ASC50 demonstrated a dose-proportional pharmacokinetic profile from 10 mg to 600 mg, with an elimination half-life ranging from 43 to 104 hours depending on the dose [1][2][8] - All adverse events reported were mild and transient, with no serious adverse events or discontinuations noted during the study [8] Group 2: Target Engagement and Efficacy - Strong target engagement was observed with elevated plasma IL-17A levels persisting until day 7 for higher doses of ASC50 [1][8] - The drug showed higher absolute oral bioavailability and longer half-life compared to another IL-17 inhibitor currently in clinical development [8] Group 3: Future Development - Based on the positive results, ASC50 is advancing to the next phase of clinical development, focusing on multiple ascending doses in participants with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis [5] - ASC50 is positioned as a potential best-in-class oral small molecule IL-17 inhibitor, developed using Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery technology [6][7]

Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. has received FDA clearance for the investigational new drug (IND) application for ASC50, an oral small molecule IL-17 inhibitor aimed at treating mild-to-moderate plaque psoriasis [3][6] - ASC50 shows promising preclinical data, including higher oral exposure, longer half-life, and strong efficacy, positioning it as a potential best-in-class treatment for psoriasis [2][4] Company Overview - Ascletis is an innovative R&D driven biotech company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, focusing on metabolic and other diseases while addressing unmet medical needs globally [7] - The company utilizes an Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) platform for drug development, with ASC50 being the first oral small molecule candidate in immunology from this platform [6] Clinical Development - The Phase I clinical trial for ASC50 will be a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at multiple sites in the U.S., with patient dosing expected to start in the third quarter of 2025 [5][6] - Preclinical studies indicate that ASC50 has a lower clearance rate compared to existing oral IL-17 inhibitors currently in clinical development, suggesting a potentially advantageous pharmacokinetic profile [4]