Ascletis oral GLP-1 candidate ASC30 meets primary and secondary goals in phase 2 diabetes study

Ascletis reported that its oral GLP-1 small‑molecule candidate ASC30 achieved both its primary and secondary endpoints in a phase 2 trial involving 100 patients with type 2 diabetes.

The study showed a placebo‑adjusted reduction in HbA1c of 1.6% to 1.7% over 12 weeks, which is slightly higher than the 1.4% decline reported for Eli Lilly's oral GLP‑1 drug Foundayo in an earlier phase 1b trial.

Weight loss, however, was less impressive. Participants on ASC30 lost 3.8% to 4.4% of their body weight by week 13, a figure that falls short of earlier ASC30 studies and of the weight reductions seen with Foundayo.

If the HbA1c results translate into later‑stage success, Ascletis could position itself as a credible competitor to Lilly in the emerging oral GLP‑1 market.