–          The gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of ASC47 in combination with semaglutide was significantly better than placebo in combination with semaglutide (semaglutide monotherapy). The incidence of vomiting was 6.7% in ASC47 in combination with semaglutide group compared to 57.1% in the semaglutide monotherapy group.

–          Ultra-long-acting subcutaneous (SQ) depot formulation of ASC47 demonstrated a lower rebound effect after treatment discontinuation compared to the semaglutide monotherapy group, supporting the potential use of once-monthly ASC47 as a maintenance therapy.

HONG KONG, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascletis Pharma Inc. (HKEX: 1672, “Ascletis”) announces that ASC47, a muscle-preserving weight loss drug candidate, in combination with semaglutide, demonstrated up to 56.2% greater relative reduction in body weight on day 29 in participants with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²) compared to placebo in combination with semaglutide (semaglutide monotherapy).

ASC47-103 study (NCT06972992), conducted in the U.S., was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the safety, tolerability and efficacy of a single-dose, ultra-long-acting subcutaneously administered ASC47 in combination with four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide in participants with obesity, compared to volume-matched placebo in combination with four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide. The treatment duration was four weeks and the follow-up period was six weeks. The study, conducted in the U.S., enrolled 28 participants with obesity. Study objectives included evaluations of safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, assessment of weight losses of three different single doses (10 mg, 30 mg and 60 mg) of ASC47 in combination with four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide. The effect on fat and lean mass was not an objective of this study given the short treatment duration (28 days). 

On day 29, a single SQ dose of 30 mg ASC47 in combination with four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide (N=6) demonstrated a 56.2% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide monotherapy (N=7), and a single SQ dose of 60 mg ASC47 in combination with four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide (N=9) demonstrated a 15.1% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to four weekly doses of 0.5 mg semaglutide monotherapy (N=7). In a pooled patient analysis of both cohorts, ASC47 in combination with semaglutide (N=15) demonstrated a 31.6% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to semaglutide monotherapy (N=7). On day 29, four weekly doses of semaglutide monotherapy demonstrated a 2.5% reduction in body weight from baseline, consistent with the reported data in the literature. The 10 mg dose of ASC47 in combination with semaglutide did not show any additional decrease in body weight compared to semaglutide monotherapy. Target engagement to thyroid hormone receptor beta (THRβ) at the 10 mg dose of ASC47 as measured by sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) was below the threshold required for clinical effect. However, both 30 mg and 60 mg ASC47 demonstrated significant target engagement to THRβ by the measurement of SHBG.

On day 29, there were significant reductions in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in 30 mg and 60 mg ASC47 group compared to semaglutide monotherapy group. 10 mg ASC47 group did not show significant reduction in LDL-C compared to semaglutide monotherapy group, suggesting again that the 10 mg dose of ASC47 was below the threshold required for clinical effect.

These topline clinical data are consistent with the results of animal studies previously conducted and reported by Ascletis (Press Release). In a head-to-head diet-induced obese (DIO) mouse study, a single dose of 3 mg/kg ASC47 (human equivalent dose of approximately 25 mg for 100 kg humans based on the body surface area conversion) in combination with semaglutide demonstrated a 56.7% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to semaglutide monotherapy. The combination efficacy of a single dose of 9 mg/kg ASC47 (human equivalent dose of approximately 75 mg for 100 kg humans based on the body surface area conversion) in combination with semaglutide was less than the combination efficacy observed in 3 mg/kg ASC47 with semaglutide.

In the ASC47-103 study, ultra-long-acting SQ depot formulation of ASC47 demonstrated an observed half-life of up to 30 days. As a result, ASC47 significantly reduced body weight rebound after treatment discontinuation. On day 57 (4 weeks after treatment discontinuation), 30 mg ASC47 group (N=6) demonstrated a 157.1% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to the semaglutide monotherapy group (N=7), and 60 mg ASC47 group (N=9) demonstrated a 110.4% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to the semaglutide monotherapy group (N=7). In a pooled patient analysis of both cohorts, ASC47 group (N=15) demonstrated a 129.9% greater relative reduction in body weight compared to the semaglutide monotherapy group (N=7). As expected, in the semaglutide monotherapy group, weight loss from baseline observed on day 29 (2.5%) rebounded 68% to only 0.8% four weeks after patients came off semaglutide treatment. These topline data support the potential use of once-monthly ASC47 monotherapy as a maintenance therapy.

The pharmacokinetic profiles of semaglutide and ASC47 in combination were consistent with those observed in their respective monotherapies (semaglutide in this study and ASC47 in a previous study). These topline data suggest that dose adjustments are not necessary when co-administered.

ASC47 in combination with semaglutide was safe and well tolerated. Table 1 summarizes the treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) profile of ASC47 in combination with semaglutide compared to semaglutide monotherapy. The gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability of ASC47 in combination with semaglutide was significantly improved compared to semaglutide monotherapy. The incidence of vomiting was 6.7% in ASC47 in combination with semaglutide group compared to 57.1% in the semaglutide monotherapy group. Results of all thyroid function tests including thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total triiodothyronine (TT3), free thyroxine (FT4) and total thyroxine (TT4) were within normal limits and no thyroid-related TEAEs were reported. All telemetry assessments and ECGs were within normal limits. No heart rate and QTc increases were observed.

In the current study, there were no titrations for semaglutide. The incidence rates of GI-related TEAEs of semaglutide monotherapy in the study are consistent with those reported in the literature in the absence of titration.

Table 1. The GI tolerability of ASC47 in combination with semaglutide was improved compared to semaglutide monotherapy

Notes: TEAE(s): treatment-emergent adverse event(s); SAEs: serious adverse events; GI: gastrointestinal.

“As the first study to evaluate an adipose targeted THRβ agonist in combination with an incretin drug in participants with obesity, we’re very encouraged that the addition of ASC47, an adipose-targeting THRβ agonist, to an incretin regimen led to a significant synergy in terms of body weight reduction, yielding up to an additional 56.2% increase in efficacy, and a substantial improvement in GI tolerability,” said Jinzi Jason Wu, Ph.D., Founder, Chairman and CEO of Ascletis, “This study provides important proof-of-concept data that will further inform our Phase IIb combination study designs for multiple metabolic diseases such as obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH).”

Pending on the consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other regulatory agencies, the Phase IIb combination studies may include once-monthly subcutaneously administered ASC47 (30 mg and 60 mg) in combination with ASC35, a once-monthly subcutaneously administered GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R)/GIP-receptor (GIPR) peptide agonist, and once-daily oral version of ASC47 in combination with once-daily oral ASC30.

ASC35 is an in-house discovered and developed GLP-1R/GIPR peptide agonist. The pharmacokinetic data in non-human primates (NHP) predict ASC35 has much longer observed half-life in humans than tirzepatide, supporting once-monthly SQ dosing. Furthermore, the DIO mouse model demonstrated that ASC35 reduced more body weight than tirzepatide. More ASC35-related data will be released in the near future.

About ASC47-103 Study

The ASC47-103 study, conducted in the U.S., is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability and efficacy of single-dose, ultra-long-acting subcutaneously administered ASC47 in combination with semaglutide in participants with obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m²). The ASC47-103 study consists of three cohorts: Cohort 1 participants receive a single dose of 10 mg ASC47 (N=6), or volume-matched placebo (N=2) via SQ injection, and four doses of semaglutide (0.5 mg, once-weekly) via SQ injection. Cohort 2 participants receive a single dose of 30 mg ASC47 (N=6), or volume-matched placebo (N=2) via SQ injection, and four doses of semaglutide (0.5 mg, once-weekly) via SQ injection. Cohort 3 participants receive a single dose of 60 mg ASC47 (N=9), or volume-matched placebo (N=3) via SQ injection, and four doses of semaglutide (0.5 mg, once-weekly) via SQ injection. The treatment duration was four weeks and the follow-up period was six weeks.

About Ascletis Pharma Inc.

Ascletis Pharma Inc. is a fully integrated biotechnology company focused on the development and commercialization of potential best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics to treat metabolic diseases. Utilizing its proprietary Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD) Platform and Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP), Ascletis has developed multiple drug candidates in-house, including its lead program, ASC30, a small molecule GLP-1R agonist designed to be administered once daily orally and once monthly to once quarterly subcutaneously as a treatment therapy and a maintenance therapy 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.)
Peter.vozzo@icrhealthcare.com

Ascletis Pharma Inc. PR and IR teams
+86-181-0650-9129 (China)
pr@ascletis.com
ir@ascletis.com 

Event offers Japanese beauty experts access to more than 700 suppliers, hands-on formulation lessons and insights into global beauty trends

TOKYO, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — in-cosmetics Asia, the leading event in Asia-Pacific for personal care ingredients, will take place at BITEC, Bangkok from 4-6 November 2025. Bringing together more than 700 leading ingredient suppliers, cosmetic scientists, formulators and manufacturers from across the globe, the event, organised by RX, will offer Japanese professionals the unique opportunity to strengthen their supply chains and gain insights into the global trends reshaping the industry.

Sarah Gibson, Event Director of in-cosmetics Asia, said: “Japanese consumers expect nothing less than perfection, but the market is becoming much more complex with demographic shifts and fierce competition from international players such as South Korea, China, India, Indonesia and the US.

“To stay ahead, Japanese beauty professionals need to diversify their supply chain, embrace new ways of thinking, ensure product safety and stability, and stay ahead of global beauty trends. in-cosmetics Asia 2025 will provide the tools, resources and connections to achieve exactly that – so that J-Beauty can continue its tradition of quality and excellence, while securing its future growth.”

Whilst Japan’s beauty market remains one of the most sophisticated in the world, 2025 research by Euromonitor International shows that overall sales are not projected to return to 2019 levels, and the competitive landscape is intensifying.

International luxury brands are re-entering Japan, while agile markets like K-beauty and C-beauty are staying ahead of market trends, launching products at speed and capturing the attention of younger consumers.

in-cosmetics Asia 2025 will equip Japanese professionals with the right tools and knowledge needed to secure future market growth:

• Meet more than 700 international ingredient suppliers, diversifying supply chain and expanding sourcing options
• Discover the latest raw materials, active ingredients and formulation technologies before they reach the wider market
• Gain knowledge from an insight- and data-led conference programme, featuring speakers from L’Oréal, Mageline, Amorepacific, Raine Beauty and many more, offering practical insights to help brands respond to quickly evolving consumer demands
• Develop practical skills through hands-on Formulation Lab sessions and in-depth Technical Seminars, designed to address the challenges of product development
• Access exclusive insights into global trends such as clean beauty, sustainability, biotechnology, well-ageing and many more, shaping the future of the pan-Asian and global beauty markets
• Build connections with leading scientists, R&D experts, suppliers and brand owners from across APAC, Europe, the US, and beyond.

in-cosmetics Asia, organised by RX, offers visitors the opportunity to learn in real time about current and emerging trends, gaining the skills and knowledge needed to strengthen their expertise in a competitive market. The 2025 event takes place from 4-6 November at BITEC, Bangkok. For more information and to register to attend, visit the website here.

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organisations. With a presence in 25 countries across 41 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit www.rxglobal.com.

About RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs more than 36,000 people over 40% of whom are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York stock exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX. *Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors 

SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — WuXi AppTec Co., Ltd. (Stock Codes: 603259.SH/2359.HK), a global company that provides a broad portfolio of R&D and manufacturing services to enable companies in the pharmaceutical and life science industries, implemented its first interim dividend plan, distributing a total of RMB1.03 billion in cash dividends.

So far this year, to enhance shareholder value, WuXi AppTec has distributed a total of RMB4.88 billion in cash dividends to investors through its annual dividend, special dividend and interim dividend. The Company’s cash dividends, combined with share repurchases and cancellations implemented this year, total RMB6.88 billion, representing over 70% of the net profit attributable to the owners of the Company in 2024.

For A-share shareholders, please refer to the Company’s announcement HERE.
For H‑share shareholders, please refer to the Company’s announcement HERE.

About WuXi AppTec

WuXi AppTec is a trusted partner and contributor to the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, providing R&D and manufacturing services that help advance healthcare innovation. With operations across Asia, Europe, and North America, we offer integrated, end-to-end services through our unique CRDMO (Contract Research, Development, and Manufacturing Organization) platform. We are privileged to work alongside nearly 6,000 partners across 30+ countries, supporting their efforts to bring breakthrough treatments to patients. Guided by our vision that every drug can be made and every disease can be treated, we are committed to advancing breakthroughs for patients—one collaboration at a time. Learn more at www.wuxiapptec.com.