Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKG: 1672), a China-based pharmaceutical company, has announced positive results from a Phase I clinical study for its drug candidate ASC47 in Australia. This in-house developed therapy is designed to facilitate weight loss without the loss of muscle mass, offering a potential new option for obesity management.
ASC47’s Mechanism and Pre-Clinical Performance
ASC47 is a fat-targeted thyroid hormone receptor beta (THR β) selective small molecule agonist that mediates adipose tissue thermogenesis through uncoupling protein-1 (UCP-1), potentially enabling weight loss without muscle loss. Pre-clinical studies have shown that ASC47, when compared head-to-head with semaglutide and tirzepatide in a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, demonstrated a dose-dependent healthy weight loss effect. The overall fat loss in DIO mice was more significant than that of semaglutide and tirzepatide, with a milder reduction in muscle mass.
Phase I Clinical Trial Results
The Phase I clinical trial involved subjects with elevated LDL-C levels (LDL-C>110 mg/dL [2.8 mmol/L]) who received a subcutaneous injection of long-acting ASC47. The drug exhibited a half-life of up to 21 days, supporting monthly administration for obese patients. On the 29th day after a single subcutaneous injection, ASC47 showed good targeted binding and a significant decrease in lipid biomarkers. The administration of ASC47 to subjects in the 10mg, 30mg, and 90mg dose groups has been completed, with the drug demonstrating good tolerability.-Fineline Info & Tech
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