First-in-class therapy enters Phase I for refractory diseases

A novel Endothelin A (ETA) receptor antagonist, AK1960, has entered Phase I clinical trials, marking a key step in the development of treatments for refractory diseases - conditions that do not respond to standard therapies.

Developed using Alchemedicine’s HiSAP™ 1 platform, AK1960 is a highly selective small molecule ETA receptor antagonist that has shown promising results in preclinical models of kidney disease. The collaboration combines expertise from Asahi Kasei Pharma, Calliditas Therapeutics AB, and Veloxis Pharmaceuticals to advance the therapy from early-phase studies in Japan toward the global market.

“Advancing AK1960 into Phase I trials reflects a significant step in addressing unmet medical needs,” said Yasuo Nakamura, Director and Senior Executive Officer at Asahi Kasei Pharma. “Working with Alchemedicine, Calliditas, and Veloxis allows us to move efficiently from preclinical validation to clinical evaluation, building a system of scientific excellence with real-world impact.”

The Phase I trial is part of a broader strategy to prioritise high-impact therapies within the pharmaceutical pipeline, following initiatives such as Phase III studies of ART-123 (Recomodulin™) for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and the inclusion of TARPEYO® in updated KDIGO clinical guidelines.

AK1960 represents a potential new option for patients with hard-to-treat diseases, underscoring a commitment to advancing innovative therapies and strengthening the global healthcare footprint.

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