- This trial marks the fourth Phase I peptide study for Ascletis this year.
- ASC36 oral tablets achieved absolute oral bioavailability of 6% to 8% at steady state in non-human primate (NHP) studies utilizing Ascletis' proprietary Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT).
- ASC36 oral tablets reduced mean body weight up to 13.2% from baseline after once-daily dosing for seven days in NHPs.
- ASC36 subcutaneous (SQ) injection demonstrated approximately 32% and 91% greater relative body weight reduction compared to eloralintide and petrelintide injection, respectively, in a head-to-head diet-induced obese (DIO) rat model.
- ASC36 oral tablets are expected to utilize a lower dose based on potentially better oral bioavailability and efficacy. This superior weight loss per milligram of ASC36 peptide may also provide scalability advantages in manufacturing.
HONG KONG, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, "Ascletis") announces today that it has initiated a U.S. Phase I study of ASC36 oral tablets (oral amylin receptor peptide agonist) for the treatment of obesity after recently receiving Investigational New Drug (IND) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The Phase I study is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of ASC36 following single and multiple ascending oral doses in 86 participants with obesity (body mass index (BMI) = 30.0 kg/m²) or overweight (BMI = 27.0 kg/m²).
"In 2026, we initiated four Phase I studies for our peptide pipeline, including ASC36 oral tablets, our fourth and most recent one, which represents a key milestone for Ascletis peptide pipeline and further validates our proprietary POTENT oral peptide delivery technology." said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, "ASC36 has demonstrated compelling preclinical weight-loss efficacy, favorable oral bioavailability and a prolonged half-life. We believe an effective oral amylin receptor agonist could offer a convenient, differentiated option for people with obesity. Combined with our oral small molecule and long-acting injectable programs, ASC36 further strengthens our diversified pipeline addressing the evolving treatment needs of patients with obesity and other metabolic diseases."
ASC36, an amylin receptor peptide agonist, was discovered and developed in-house utilizing Ascletis' proprietary Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD). ASC36 oral tablet formulation was developed and optimized by Ascletis' proprietary Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT) for delivery of oral peptides.
In non-human primates (NHPs), 10 mg ASC36 oral tablet per animal dosed once daily for seven days achieved absolute oral bioavailability[1] of 8% and elimination half-life of 116 hours at steady state; 25 mg ASC36 oral tablet per animal dosed once daily for seven days achieved absolute oral bioavailability of 6% and elimination half-life of 167 hours at steady state. The long elimination half-life (116 hours to 167 hours) of ASC36 oral tablets supports once-daily and less frequent oral dosing.
ASC36 oral tablets and subcutaneous (SQ) injection demonstrated significant weight loss in NHP and diet-induced obese (DIO) rat models, respectively. In NHPs, ASC36 oral tablets reduced mean body weight up to 13.2% from baseline after once-daily dosing for seven days. ASC36 tablets also reduced food intake significantly. In a head-to-head DIO rat model, after seven days of treatment, ASC36 SQ injection demonstrated approximately 32% and 91% greater relative body weight reduction compared to eloralintide and petrelintide injection, respectively.
Based on potentially better oral bioavailability and efficacy, ASC36 oral tablets are expected to utilize a lower dose, relative to a recently FDA approved oral GLP-1R peptide agonist. This superior weight loss per milligram of ASC36 peptide may also provide scalability advantages in manufacturing.
[1] Absolute oral bioavailability: the percentage of an orally administered drug that reaches the systemic circulation (bloodstream), compared to an intravenous (IV) dose of the same drug |
About Ascletis Pharma Inc.
Ascletis Pharma Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of potentially best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases. Utilizing its proprietary Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies as well as Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT), Ascletis has developed multiple drug candidates in-house, including both small molecules and peptides, such as its lead program, ASC30, a once-daily oral small molecule GLP-1R agonist for chronic weight management and diabetes; ASC30_48FDC, a once-daily oral small molecule dual agonist, a fixed dose combination of ASC30 (GLP-1R agonist) and ASC48 (GIPR agonist), ASC30_48_39FDC, a once-daily oral small molecule triple agonist, a fixed dose combination of ASC30 (GLP-1R agonist), ASC48 (GIPR agonist) and ASC39 (amylin receptor agonist (SARA)), ASC39, an eloralintide-like potent selective amylin receptor agonist (SARA) once-daily oral small molecule, ASC30_39FDC, a once-daily oral small molecule dual agonist, a fixed dose combination of ASC30 (GLP-1R agonist) and ASC39 (amylin receptor agonist (SARA)), ASC36, an amylin peptide, designed to be administered once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously and once daily orally, ASC35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1R/GIPR dual peptide agonist, ASC36_35FDC, a once-monthly subcutaneous triple peptide agonist, a fixed combination of ASC36 (amylin receptor agonist) and ASC35 (GLP-1R/GIPR agonist), ASC37, a GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist, designed to be administered once monthly subcutaneously and once daily orally, and ASC36_37FDC, a once-monthly subcutaneous quadruple peptide agonist, a fixed dose combination of ASC36 (amylin receptor agonist) and ASC37 (GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR agonist), for chronic weight management. Ascletis is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (1672.HK).
For more information, please visit www.ascletis.com.
Contact:
Peter Vozzo
ICR Healthcare
443-231-0505 (U.S.)
[email protected]
Ascletis Pharma Inc. PR and IR Teams
+86-181-0650-9129 (China)
[email protected]
[email protected]
SOURCE Ascletis Pharma Inc.
