Our Focus

ASC40: A first-in-class drug with novel mechanism of action for Acne


Eighth most prevalent disease in the world and affects more than 640 million people globally 

  • The onset of acne often coincides with pubertal hormonal changes, and the condition affects approximately 85% of adolescents and young adults aged 12 to 25 years.

  • However, acne can also persist into or develop during adulthood. 

A report recently published by Allied Market Research indicated that the global acne medication market size was US$11.86 billion in 2019, and is projected to reach US$13.35 billion by 2027

  • Current first-line treatments for acne include topical creams such as topical retinoids and androgen receptor inhibitor, oral isotretinoin, and antibiotics.

Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is a key enzyme which regulates de novo lipogenesis

  • Human sebum production requires de novo lipogenesis, which is increased in acne and suppressed by the FASN inhibitor ASC40

Clinical proof concept data 

  • Clinical study indicated that sebum production was inhibited by ASC40 in a dose-dependent fashion






Publications


Title

Venue

Type

Date

First FASN inhibitor ASC40 to treat acne vulgaris patients: final results from a Phase 2 trial

The 2024 American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Meetinge-Poster 3/2024

ASC40, an oral once-daily fatty acid synthase (FASN) inhibitor, in patients with acne vulgaris: topline results from a phase 2 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial

The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Congress 2023Poster
10/2023