Ascletis says Viking Therapeutics complaints ‘have no merit’

Ascletis Pharma (ASCLF) said it was informed on December 29, 2022, that Viking Therapeutics (VKTX) filed certain complaints against Ascletis, its founder Jinzi Jason WU and certain subsidiaries of Ascletis in connection with the drug candidates ASC41 and ASC43F. One complaint was made with the United States International Trade Commission and another complaint was made with the United States District Court, Southern District of California, San Diego Division, each covering similar allegations, the company said in a statement. As of this date, Viking has not yet served the complaints on Ascletis or raised the relevant allegations with Ascletis before filing of the complaints, the company added. From the publicly available allegations of Viking set out in the Complaints, Ascletis "believes that such allegations have no merit and will vigorously defend against the Complaints." It states, "ASC41 is an in-house developed oral tablet using Ascletis’ own technologies and targeting thyroid hormone receptor beta for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; ASC43F is an in-house developed fixed-dose combination oral tablet using Ascletis’ own technologies and with dual targets of thyroid hormone receptor beta and farnesoid X receptor for the treatment of NASH. Ascletis will closely monitor the above legal proceedings, while the business and operations of Ascletis and its subsidiaries remain as usual and normal."