Hong Kong, September 7, 2026
Ascletis Pharma Inc. has announced that its ordinary shares have been included as eligible securities under both the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs, effective September 7, 2026. The development expands the channels through which eligible investors in mainland China can trade Ascletis shares listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The company said the inclusion reflects market recognition of its investment value and growth prospects, while potentially broadening its shareholder base and improving trading liquidity. For the pharmaceutical company, the development comes as Ascletis continues to advance a broad pipeline of metabolic disease therapeutics, including oral small-molecule and peptide-based candidates targeting GLP-1, GIP, amylin and other metabolic pathways.
Ascletis Gains Access to Mainland Investor Channel
Under the Hong Kong Stock Connect framework, eligible investors in mainland China can trade qualifying Hong Kong-listed securities through established connectivity between the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. Ascletis confirmed that its shares have been added to the eligible lists of both programs, allowing qualifying mainland investors to access the company’s Hong Kong-listed shares through the Stock Connect mechanism. The inclusion took effect on September 7, 2026, marking a new stage in the company’s access to the mainland investment community. For Ascletis, the development could provide greater visibility among investors following the biopharmaceutical and metabolic disease sectors. The company stated that eligibility under both Stock Connect programs is expected to help expand its shareholder base and increase the liquidity of its shares. Greater investor accessibility can also improve the visibility of listed biotechnology companies as they progress through clinical development and commercial planning. However, the Stock Connect inclusion itself does not represent a drug approval, clinical trial milestone or regulatory authorization for any Ascletis product candidate.
Broad Metabolic Disease Pipeline Supports Growth Strategy
The announcement comes as Ascletis continues to build a broad pipeline focused on metabolic diseases, supported by proprietary drug-discovery and drug-delivery technologies. The company identifies ASC30, an investigational once-daily oral small-molecule GLP-1 receptor agonist, as a leading program for chronic weight management and diabetes. Ascletis is also developing multiple combination programs designed to target complementary metabolic pathways, including GLP-1, GIP and amylin receptors. The company’s pipeline includes ASC30_48FDC, a fixed-dose combination of ASC30 and ASC48 targeting GLP-1R and GIPR; ASC30_48_39FDC, a triple agonist combining GLP-1R, GIPR and amylin receptor activity; and ASC30_39FDC, which combines GLP-1 and amylin mechanisms. Ascletis is also developing peptide-based candidates including ASC36, an amylin receptor agonist, ASC35, a GLP-1R/GIPR dual peptide agonist, and ASC37, a GLP-1R/GIPR/GCGR triple peptide agonist.
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Stock Connect Inclusion Expands Strategic Visibility
Ascletis said the expanded trading access is expected to support its long-term innovation-driven and sustainable growth by increasing the potential investor base and improving market liquidity. The company’s development strategy is focused on building potentially best-in-class and first-in-class therapeutics, with proprietary platforms including Artificial Intelligence-assisted Structure-Based Drug Discovery (AISBDD), the Ultra-Long-Acting Platform (ULAP) and Peptide Oral Transport ENhancement Technology (POTENT). These technologies underpin several of the company’s small-molecule and peptide development programs. The Stock Connect development therefore adds a financial-market dimension to Ascletis’ broader pharmaceutical growth strategy. While it does not directly change the regulatory status or clinical development stage of the company’s drug candidates, improved access to mainland investors could enhance market visibility and trading liquidity as Ascletis advances its metabolic disease portfolio. Ascletis remains listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under stock code 1672, with its pipeline spanning oral and injectable approaches intended to address chronic weight management and other metabolic conditions.
Source: Ascletis Pharma press release
