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SINGAPORE, Oct. 18, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (ASLAN, 6497.TT, Nasdaq: ASLN), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting cancers that are both highly prevalent in Asia and orphan indications in the United States and Europe, today announced the enrolment of the first subject in a phase 1 study investigating ASLAN004 as a therapeutic antibody for atopic dermatitis.

The phase 1 trial is the first clinical study of ASLAN004 and will be conducted in Singapore, Australia and the United States.  The single ascending dose portion of the study will recruit healthy volunteers and the multiple ascending dose component will recruit moderate to severe atopic dermatitis patients. The single ascending dose study is expected to complete in the first half of 2019.

ASLAN004 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the IL-13 receptor ?1 subunit (IL-13R?1) and has demonstrated inhibition of interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 13 (IL-13) in preclinical investigations. IL-4 and IL-13 are central to triggering symptoms of atopic dermatitis, such as redness and itching of the skin. By targeting IL-13R?1, ASLAN004 has the potential to offer both a lower dose and dosing frequency than currently available treatments for moderate to severe atopic dermatitis which target the same pathways. The selective binding of ASLAN004 may also offer a more favourable side effect profile.

Dr Mark McHale, COO of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, said: “Initiating this study is an important step for ASLAN that marks the first time the ASLAN team has taken a development programme from preclinical to first in man studies.  ASLAN004 has the potential to address a significant unmet medical need as a best-in-class therapy for patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis worldwide. This study will enable us to investigate its potential to offer more selective binding, improved tolerability, and greater convenience with reduced injection frequency than current treatment options.”

Atopic dermatitis is the most common dermatological disease, affecting over 200 million patients worldwide¹, characterised by red inflamed skin and severe daytime and night time itching, which can severely impact patients’ quality of life. In the US, it is estimated that AD occurs in 7.3% of US adults².  Currently available therapeutics are limited and management is challenging in the majority of cases.

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About ASLAN004 
ASLAN004 is a fully human monoclonal antibody that targets the IL-13 receptor ?1 subunit, or IL-13R?1, with potential to be a best-in-class therapy. By targeting IL-13R?1, ASLAN004 potently inhibits signalling of both interleukin 4, or IL-4, and interleukin 13, or IL-13. IL-4 and IL-13 are central to triggering symptoms of allergy in atopic dermatitis, such as redness and itching of the skin, as well as asthma symptoms such as shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing.

About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (ASLAN, 6497.TT, Nasdaq: ASLN) is a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing novel therapeutics for global markets. ASLAN targets diseases that are both highly prevalent in Asia and orphan indications in the United States and Europe. Led by a senior management team with extensive experience in global and regional development and commercialization, ASLAN is headquartered in Singapore and has offices in Taiwan and China. ASLAN’s portfolio is comprised of four product candidates which target validated growth pathways applied to new patient segments, novel immune checkpoints and novel cancer metabolic pathways. ASLAN’s partners include Array BioPharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Almirall and CSL. For additional information please visit www.aslanpharma.com.

Forward looking statements
This release and the accompanying financial information, if any, contains forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the current beliefs and expectations of the management of ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited and/or its affiliates (the "Company"). These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, the Company’s plans to develop and commercialise its product candidates, the safety and efficacy of the Company’s product candidates, the Company’s plans and expected timing with respect to regulatory filings and approvals, and the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates. The Company’s estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements are based on management's current assumptions and expectations of future events and trends, which affect or may affect the Company’s business, strategy, operations or financial performance, and inherently involve significant known and unknown risks and uncertainties.  Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements as a result of these risks and uncertainties, which include, without limitation the risk factors described in the Company’s US Securities and Exchange Commission filings and reports (Commission File No. 001-38475), including the Company’s prospectus dated May 8, 2018 filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission on such date.  

All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,” “may,” “might,” “could,” “will,” “aim,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “plan,” or the negative of those terms, and similar expressions that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes are intended to identify estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements. Estimates, projections and other forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and, except to the extent required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or review any estimate, projection or forward-looking statement.

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¹ Nutten, S. 2015. Atopic dermatitis: global epidemiology and risk factors
² Atopic Dermatitis in America, accessed 17 October 2018