Ascletis Pharma (HKG:1672) said it had selected a once-daily version of the ASC37 oral tablets for further studies in the US, according to a Hong Kong bourse filing Wednesday.
The company plans to seek U.S. regulatory approval to begin human trials of the oral version of the drug to treat obesity.
An investigational new drug application is expected in the second quarter of 2026, the firm said.
According to Ascletis, animal studies showed its medicine was superior to eloralintide and petrelintide.
The company is also advancing a once-monthly subcutaneous version of ASC37.