Ascletis posts encouraging Phase II data for oral obesity drug

Ascletis Pharma (HKEX: 1672) has reported positive top-line results from a 13-week Phase II study of ASC30, its once-daily oral GLP-1 agonist for obesity. All three doses met the primary endpoint with statistically-significant and clinically meaningful weight loss versus placebo, including a 7.7% placebo-adjusted reduction at 60mg.

The company said ASC30 also delivered improvements in several cardiometabolic markers and showed a generally mild gastrointestinal profile, with no drug-related serious adverse events.

Founder and chief executive Jinzi Jason Wu said the findings “suggest a potential best-in-class profile of ASC30 for both weight loss and GI tolerability.” Ascletis plans to seek an end-of-Phase II meeting with the US regulator in early 2026.