ASCEND Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the research, development and use of transdermal drug delivery technology to overcome therapeutic barriers and raise the standard of care for previously unmet chronic health conditions.
Founded in 2002 and based in Herndon, VA, ASCEND uses its proprietary percutaneous hydroalcoholic gel technology to deliver therapy in instances where oral delivery is impossible or undesirable.
Leadership
ASCEND has assembled a team of experienced professionals who are focused on developing its transdermal products, maintaining a strong intellectual property portfolio and establishing strategic partnerships.
In building its management team and scientific advisory board, ASCEND has assembled a group of international leaders in the areas of drug development, endocrinology and alternative therapeutic delivery systems from leading medical institutions such as Johns Hopkins, Columbia, UCLA and Georgetown, as well as from regulatory agencies and the pharmaceutical industry.
Product Pipeline
In developing its initial products, ASCEND has incorporated the long-proven Enhanced Hydroalcoholic Gel (EHG™) technology developed by its strategic partner Besins International, a leading European pharmaceutical company and the world's largest manufacturer of prescription pharmaceutical gels.
ASCEND's lead product is afimoxifene gel, an antiestrogen being evaluated for the treatment of cyclic breast pain and other estrogen dependent disorders in premenopausal women. Results of a Phase 2 clinical trial of afimoxifene gel indicate that the treatment was well tolerated and showed a statistically significant reduction in cyclic breast pain. In this trial, headaches were the most common side effect, which were in general mild and similar across treatment groups. ASCEND also believes that afimoxifene gel has the potential to treat a broad range of estrogen-related conditions.
The company's second product is a transdermal dihydrotestosterone gel therapy for late onset hypogonadism, a chronic condition affecting men over age 60. This product is currently in Phase 2 clinical trials to gauge efficacy. This trial is expected to be complete by early 2007. ASCEND has several additional transdermal therapies in formulation and preclinical development.