China-based biopharmaceutical company Ascletis reported favorable Phase 2 trial results for its investigational oral weight-loss therapy, driving a sharp 28% surge in its Hong Kong-listed shares. The data demonstrated statistically significant weight reduction in patients, reinforcing the company’s pipeline potential in the global anti-obesity market.
- Ascletis shares (0952.HK, ASCL) surged 28% following Phase 2 data release on December 9, 2025.
- ASC-04 achieved 10.3% average weight loss in 150 obese patients over 16 weeks at a 10mg daily dose.
- 78% of trial participants met or exceeded 5% weight reduction threshold.
- Gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 16% of patients, indicating a manageable safety profile.
- Phase 3 trial expected to begin in early 2026; potential regulatory filings by 2028.
- Oral formulation differentiates ASC-04 from injectable GLP-1 competitors in development.
Shares of Ascletis (0952.HK, ASCL) climbed 28% in early trading on December 9, 2025, following the release of positive Phase 2 clinical data for its oral GLP-1 receptor agonist candidate, ASC-04. The trial, which included 150 adult patients with obesity (BMI ≥30), showed an average weight loss of 10.3% over 16 weeks of treatment with a 10mg daily dose, with 78% of participants achieving at least 5% weight reduction. The drug demonstrated a favorable safety profile, with gastrointestinal side effects reported in 16% of patients—comparable to existing therapies in development. The results place Ascletis among a growing group of China-based innovators targeting the high-growth global obesity market, projected to exceed $150 billion in revenue by 2030. Unlike injectable GLP-1 drugs, ASC-04’s oral formulation offers a potential convenience advantage, addressing a key unmet need in patient adherence. The company plans to initiate a Phase 3 trial in early 2026, with potential regulatory submissions in China, the U.S., and Europe anticipated by 2028. The market reaction underscores investor optimism in Ascletis’s ability to commercialize a differentiated product in a crowded field dominated by Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, and others. The stock’s rise also reflects renewed interest in China’s biotech sector, particularly firms with novel mechanisms and global development ambitions. Analysts note that successful Phase 3 outcomes could position ASC-04 as a competitive alternative to injectable therapies, especially in price-sensitive markets.