Ascletis Announces Positive Topline Results from Its Phase III Open-Label Study of Denifanstat (ASC40), a First-in-Class, Once-Daily Oral FASN Inhibitor for Acne [Accessibility Statement] Skip Navigation- Denifanstat (ASC40), a once-daily oral fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor, demonstrated favorable safety and tolerability in a Phase III open-label study- The exceptional efficacy of denifanstat (ASC40) observed in the Company's previously reported placebo-controlled Phase III trial coupled with a favora ...

Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. is advancing its investigational drug ASC30, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, into a Phase II study for type 2 diabetes, with topline data expected in Q3 2026 [2][5] Group 1: ASC30 Development - ASC30 has shown a placebo-adjusted weight loss of up to 7.7% in a completed 13-week Phase II study for obesity, demonstrating better gastrointestinal tolerability compared to other treatments [1][3] - The Phase II study for diabetes will evaluate ASC30's efficacy, safety, and tolerability, focusing on changes in HbA1c and body weight among approximately 100 participants [5][6] - ASC30 is designed for once-daily oral administration and has been developed in-house by Ascletis as a first and only investigational small molecule GLP-1R fully biased agonist [4][6] Group 2: Clinical Study Details - The obesity Phase II study involved 125 participants and reported a treatment discontinuation rate due to adverse events of 4.8% [3] - The study for diabetes is randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, with participants assigned to different dosages of ASC30 [5] - The primary endpoint of the diabetes study is the mean change in HbA1c from baseline, with secondary endpoints including fasting blood glucose and body weight changes [5]

Core Insights - Ascletis Pharma Inc. has received acceptance for its New Drug Application (NDA) for denifanstat (ASC40), a first-in-class oral fatty acid synthase inhibitor aimed at treating moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris, by the China National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) [2][3] - The Phase III clinical trial results demonstrated that denifanstat (ASC40) met all primary and secondary efficacy endpoints, showing significant improvement in acne vulgaris compared to placebo, with a favorable safety profile [4][5] Group 1 - The acceptance of the NDA is a significant milestone for Ascletis in its efforts to commercialize denifanstat (ASC40) [3] - Denifanstat (ASC40) has completed both Phase II and Phase III studies for the treatment of moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris [3][5] - The Phase III study results were presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2025, indicating the company's active engagement in scientific discourse [5] Group 2 - The Phase III study reported that all treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) related to denifanstat (ASC40) were mild or moderate, with no severe adverse events observed [4] - Ascletis has licensed denifanstat (ASC40) from Sagimet Biosciences Inc. for exclusive rights in Greater China, highlighting strategic partnerships in drug development [5] - Ascletis Pharma Inc. is focused on developing and commercializing innovative therapeutics for metabolic diseases, utilizing advanced technologies in drug discovery [6]