Ascletis Advances ASC37: A Promising Once-Monthly Treatment for Obesity

Advancing Treatment for Obesity with ASC37

Ascletis Pharma Inc., a biotechnology firm from Hong Kong, recently announced the selection of ASC37 as a clinical development candidate for the treatment of obesity. This new drug is a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist, signaling a significant advancement in the field of metabolic disease treatment.

Unprecedented Half-Life and Potency

In recent studies involving non-human primates, ASC37 demonstrated an impressive average half-life of approximately 17 days—seven times longer than retatrutide, a drug currently utilized for similar purposes. This extended half-life is particularly notable as it supports the administration of this promising treatment on a monthly basis rather than weekly, making it a convenient option for patients.

ASC37 also outperformed retatrutide in its in vitro activity—showing approximately 5 times greater potency for GLP-1R, and 4 times for both GIPR and GCGR. These attributes highlight ASC37's potential to be a more effective solution in managing obesity compared to existing treatments.

Clinical Development Timeline

Ascletis is anticipating submitting an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for ASC37 in the second quarter of 2026. This is an important step as it will set the stage for further clinical evaluation and eventual commercialization of the drug.

Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., the founder and CEO of Ascletis, stated, "With ASC37, we are advancing a potentially more potent, next-generation triple agonist into the clinic which supports once-monthly dosing." This move aims to enhance the treatment options available for individuals suffering from obesity.

Combination Therapy Potential

Beyond being developed as a standalone treatment, ASC37 is also being explored in combination therapies to address a range of cardio-metabolic diseases, including obesity and diabetes, as well as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Plans are underway to combine ASC37 with another drug candidate, ASC36, which is a once-monthly subcutaneously administered amylin receptor peptide agonist. This strategic combination aims to broaden the therapeutic benefits, potentially improving clinical outcomes for patients.

Innovative Development Technologies

The unique properties of ASC37 stem from Ascletis' cutting-edge approaches, including Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) technologies. These innovations enhance the ability to optimize drug designs and create multiple long-acting peptides, tailoring their release profiles to achieve optimal dosage intervals and therapeutic efficacy.

Conclusion

Ascletis Pharma Inc. is taking significant strides toward revolutionizing obesity treatment with ASC37. With its potential for once-monthly administration, impressive half-life, and superior efficacy, it positions itself as a frontrunner in the quest for effective obesity management solutions. As they prepare for clinical trials, the pharmaceutical industry and potential patients will be eagerly watching the journey of ASC37.

For further details on Ascletis and their innovative treatments, visit www.ascletis.com.