Ascletis Pharma (HKG:1672) posted promising Phase Ib trial results in the U.S. for ASC30, a potential first-in-class GLP-1 receptor agonist for treating obesity, according to a Monday filing with the Hong Kong bourse.
A single subcutaneous injection of ASC30 showed a 36-day half-life, supporting once-monthly dosing. The oral tablet form of ASC30 also demonstrated "6.3% weight loss in patients with obesity after a four-week treatment."
Ascletis holds global patent protection until 2044 for ASC30.
The pharmaceutical shares were up by 5.8%