Phase
Phase 2
ASLAN003 has the potential to be a first-in-class DHODH inhibitor in oncology due to the following competitive advantages:
- Potent inhibition of DHODH. The binding affinity of ASLAN003 to DHODH is up to two orders of magnitude stronger than first generation DHODH inhibitors, such as leflunomide and teriflunomide. This highly specific and potent inhibition of human DHODH has the potential to reach the levels required to be efficacious in oncology.
- Lack of toxicities associated with first generation inhibitors and other novel AML therapies. Existing DHODH inhibitors, such as leflunomide and teriflunomide, are associated with significant liver toxicity. Both of these drugs take between three and four weeks to build to therapeutic levels and two years to clear completely after dosing is stopped. In contrast, ASLAN003 reaches full exposure in 24 hours with a half-life of 18 hours allowing rapid clearance following cessation of treatment. Furthermore, recently launched AML therapies, such as midostaurin and enasidenib, are associated with significant hematological and liver toxicities. Many AML patients are elderly or cannot otherwise tolerate significant toxicities. As a result, we believe the safety profile of ASLAN003 could allow its use in these patients.
- Enables AML blast cells to differentiate into granulocytes and may be applicable in a broad range of AML patients. ASLAN003 has demonstrated the ability to differentiate AML blast cells into granulocytes in a variety of AML cell lines that do not respond to ATRA. ASLAN003 may have applicability in patients that do not respond to ATRA, which represent approximately 85% of AML patients.
- Evidence of activity in TNBC. Recent data suggest that DHODH inhibition is active in animal models of TNBC, an aggressive type of breast cancer with few effective treatment options.
Partners
Originator
ASLAN has partnered with Almirall for the development of ASLAN003. Almirall is a leading skin-health focused global pharmaceutical company that partners with healthcare professionals, applying Science to provide medical solutions to patients and future generations. The company, founded in 1943 and with headquarters in Barcelona, is listed on the Spanish Stock Exchange (ticker: ALM).
To learn more about Almirall, please visit www.almirall.com
Outlicenced Partner
ASLAN has partnered with BioGenetics for the commercialisation of varlitinib and ASLAN003 in South Korea. BioGenetics, formerly Unidus Corporation, is a Korea-based company established in 1973 engaged in the manufacturing of medical products. As part of the company’s diversification strategy, BioGenetics established its biopharmaceutical division in April 2018 and appointed Mr Joohoon Ahn, as CEO of the newly established division. Mr Ahn was most recently Senior Managing Director at Kwangdong Pharmaceuticals, one of the top 3 domestic pharmaceutical companies in Korea, and has 28 years of experience in the Korean pharma industry in regulatory affairs, commercialisation, and business development. Biogenetics is co-developing WM-S1-001 for Erbitux®-resistant colon cancer with WellMarkerBio, a spin-off company from Asan Medical Center, one of the largest private hospitals in Korea.