ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, a clinical-stage oncology-focused biopharmaceutical company, is restructuring to focus its resources on its lead clinical programs: varlitinib in biliary tract cancer (BTC), ASLAN003 in acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), and ASLAN004 in atopic dermatitis. ASLAN will reduce its headcount by 30%. In total, the planned changes will lower operational costs by 50%.

ASLAN will focus its resources on the late-stage development of varlitinib as a potential novel treatment for first- and second-line BTC. If successful, study results will be used to submit a New Drug Application (NDA) in China, the U.S. and other major geographies.

ASLAN expects to complete the first part of the Phase II study of ASLAN003 in AML and the Phase I SAD study of ASLAN004 in 1H19.

In addition to the reduction in headcount, Dr. Bertil Lindmark, currently chief medical officer, has announced he will retire.  Dr. Chih-Yi Hsieh, currently vice president Medical and GM Taiwan, will assume the role of acting chief medical officer. Dr. Mark McHale, chief operating officer, will transition to the role of chief development officer and head of R&D with immediate effect.

Dr. Carl Firth, chief executive officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, said, “We remain committed to ensuring the most effective use of capital to support the development of our three key assets, varlitinib, ASLAN003 and ASLAN004, each of which have the potential to be critical value-drivers. We are approaching several significant milestones in 2019 and beyond, so it is important we complete key studies over the next two years. Restructuring the organization has involved some tough decisions. It is difficult to lose outstanding members of the team who have contributed to ASLAN over the years and have tackled some of the most challenging obstacles to advancing new treatments for cancer.”