Why This Atopic Dermatitis Study Was So Well Received

Photo of Chris Lange
By Chris Lange Updated Published
This post may contain links from our sponsors and affiliates, and Flywheel Publishing may receive compensation for actions taken through them.
Why This Atopic Dermatitis Study Was So Well Received

© VladimirFLoyd / Getty Images

Aslan Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (NASDAQ: ASLN) shares jumped on Monday after the firm announced positive preliminary data from the lowest dose cohort of its ongoing multiple ascending dose study of ASLAN004 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

For this preliminary data, the firm reviewed unclean blinded data, including the Eczema Area and Severity Index scores of the three patients that have completed at least one month of dosing. The scores were reduced by 85%, 70% and 59% from baseline, and they continued to fall at four weeks, with maximal efficacy expected at six to eight weeks.

The data monitoring committee (DMC) will meet in late December, after which the second dose cohort is expected to open. The study will recruit up to 50 moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis patients, and study completion is expected in the second half of 2020, with interim results expected in early 2020.

It’s worth pointing out that atopic dermatitis is the most common dermatological disease, affecting over 200 million patients worldwide, characterized by red inflamed skin and severe daytime and night-time itching, which can severely affect patients’ quality of life. Up to one-third of adult atopic dermatitis patients are considered moderate to severe, for which currently available therapeutics are limited and management is challenging in the majority of cases.

Dr. Mark McHale, head of R&D, Aslan Pharmaceuticals, commented:

We are pleased to report encouraging preliminary data from this study of ASLAN004. Whilst the data remains early, we had not anticipated to observe such pronounced improvements in patients enrolled into the lowest dose cohort. We look forward to the second dose cohort opening following the DMC meeting in December and further interim data in early 2020.

[nativounit]

Shares of Aslan were last seen up nearly 70% at $6.49, in a 52-week range of $0.35 to $7.07. The consensus price target is $2.33.

[recirclink id=595460]
[wallst_email_signup]

Photo of Chris Lange
About the Author Chris Lange →

Chris Lange is a writer for 24/7 Wall St., based in Houston. He has covered financial markets over the past decade with an emphasis on healthcare, tech, and IPOs. During this time, he has published thousands of articles with insightful analysis across these complex fields. Currently, Lange's focus is on military and geopolitical topics.

Lange's work has been quoted or mentioned in Forbes, The New York Times, Business Insider, USA Today, MSN, Yahoo, The Verge, Vice, The Intelligencer, Quartz, Nasdaq, The Motley Fool, Fox Business, International Business Times, The Street, Seeking Alpha, Barron’s, Benzinga, and many other major publications.

A graduate of Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas, Lange majored in business with a particular focus on investments. He has previous experience in the banking industry and startups.

Featured Reads

Our top personal finance-related articles today. Your wallet will thank you later.

Continue Reading

Top Gaining Stocks

CBOE Vol: 1,568,143
PSKY Vol: 12,285,993
STX Vol: 7,378,346
ORCL Vol: 26,317,675
DDOG Vol: 6,247,779

Top Losing Stocks

LKQ
LKQ Vol: 4,367,433
CLX Vol: 13,260,523
SYK Vol: 4,519,455
MHK Vol: 1,859,865
AMGN Vol: 3,818,618