Ascletis Pharma has announced that its experimental drug, ASC47, significantly enhances the weight loss effects of semaglutide, a popular anti-obesity medication. In a recent U.S.-based trial involving 28 obese participants, ASC47 increased the efficacy of semaglutide by 56.2%. Conducted over four weeks with a six-week follow-up, the study aimed to evaluate the safety and optimal dosage of ASC47. Notably, the combination of ASC47 and semaglutide also improved gastrointestinal tolerability, with a reduced vomiting incidence of 6.7% compared to 57% with semaglutide alone. This promising data will guide future phase IIb studies targeting obesity and other metabolic diseases, according to Jason Wu Jinzi, founder and CEO of Ascletis. The study underscores the competitive efforts of Chinese pharmaceutical companies in the burgeoning market for diabetes and weight loss medications, challenging established global players like Novo Nordisk.
Does ASC47 enhance semaglutide’s weight loss effects?
