SAN MATEO, Calif. - ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ASLN), a biopharmaceutical company focused on immunology, reported positive interim results from a Phase 2 study of eblasakimab in adults with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis (AD) who had previously been treated with dupilumab.
The study, known as TREK-DX, demonstrated that 60% of patients treated with eblasakimab achieved a significant reduction in their Eczema Area Severity Index (EASI) score, compared to only 14.3% of those on placebo.
The study included 22 patients who had discontinued dupilumab treatment for reasons such as inadequate control of AD, loss of access, or adverse events. Of these patients, 17 completed the 16-week treatment period.
The interim analysis showed that eblasakimab-treated patients experienced a mean reduction in EASI score by 86.9%, compared to 51.2% for those on placebo. Furthermore, 20% of patients treated with eblasakimab reached an EASI-100, indicating a complete reduction in their EASI score, a result not observed in the placebo group.
Eblasakimab also provided rapid and clinically meaningful itch relief. The mean reduction in peak pruritus numerical rating scale (PP-NRS) score for eblasakimab-treated patients was 58.9%, in contrast to a 12.9% reduction for those on placebo. The treatment was well-tolerated with no new safety signals identified, and no reports of conjunctivitis or injection site reactions in either the active or placebo arm.
Dr. Carl Firth, CEO of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, highlighted the unprecedented results, noting that eblasakimab's unique mechanism of action could make it an important new therapy for AD patients who do not respond adequately to dupilumab.
The TREK-DX trial is currently enrolling patients across North America and Europe and is expected to enroll 75 patients. The primary efficacy endpoint is the percentage change in EASI score from baseline to week 16, with other key secondary efficacy endpoints including the proportion of patients achieving various levels of EASI reduction and changes in peak pruritus.
ASLAN plans to announce the topline readout from the full dataset of the TREK-DX study at the end of 2024. The interim data will be submitted for presentation at an upcoming scientific conference. The information in this article is based on a press release statement from ASLAN Pharmaceuticals.
InvestingPro Insights
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:ASLN) has showcased promising results from its Phase 2 study of eblasakimab, capturing the attention of both the medical community and investors. However, a deeper dive into the company's financial health is crucial for stakeholders to gauge the overall viability of the firm.
According to InvestingPro data, ASLAN has a market capitalization of approximately 11.58 million USD, indicating a smaller scale within the biopharmaceutical industry. Despite the positive clinical trial outcomes, the company's financial metrics reflect some challenges. The P/E Ratio (Adjusted) as of the last twelve months ending Q4 2023 stands at -0.26, suggesting that investors are facing losses per share when considering the company's earnings.
Moreover, the company's stock has experienced significant price volatility, with a 1-month price total return of -21.59% and a 6-month price total return of -58.37%, as per the latest data. This high volatility is a crucial factor for investors to consider, as it may impact the stability and predictability of returns.
An InvestingPro Tip reveals that ASLAN is quickly burning through cash, which, paired with the expectation that net income is likely to drop this year, signals potential liquidity concerns for the company.
For those considering an investment in ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, it's noteworthy that the company does not pay a dividend to shareholders, which may influence the investment decisions of income-focused investors.
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