-- Ascletis Pharma (HKG:1672) said it completed patient enrollment in the phase 2 study of its oral drug ASC30 in the U.S., according to a Hong Kong bourse filing Monday.
The firm will study the drug as a treatment for type 2 diabetes over a 13-week period. Topline data from the investigation is expected in the third quarter of 2026, according to Ascletis.
ASC30 is also being developed as a treatment for obesity.
Hon Hai Precision Industry (TPE:2317) and Mitsubishi Electric (TYO:6503) signed a memorandum of understanding to explore a strategic partnership in the automotive equipment business, according to a Friday Taiwan Exchange filing.Shares of Hon Hai rose about 3% in Monday's midday trade in Taiwan, while those of Mitsubishi Electric gained marginally in Tokyo.Under the deal, both sides will discuss the possibility of jointly operating the business, including Foxconn potentially acquiring a 50% stake in Mitsubishi Electric Mobility.The plan remains subject to mutual agreement on commercial terms and regulatory approvals before any final deal is reached.Discussions are still in the exploratory stage, and no binding transaction has been completed, the companies said.The move is part of its broader push into the automotive and mobility sector, the filing said.
Crude oil prices climbed Monday after efforts to revive US-Iran peace talks in Pakistan collapsed over the weekend, effectively erasing hopes for a near-term resumption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.The Brent futures contract gained 2.1% to $107.57 per barrel. Murban closed at $103.59 on April 24 and was not trading as of the time of publishing this oil price update."Oil is trading stronger this morning after attempts to get US-Iran peace talks back on track broke down, erasing hopes for a resumption of energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz anytime soon," ING analysts said.The diplomatic cooling began when President Donald Trump abruptly cancelled a planned trip to Islamabad for top envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, reportedly stating there was no point "sitting around talking about nothing."This withdrawal coincided with the arrival of Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Pakistan, though no direct engagement occurred.The subsequent impact on supply is stark. Bloomberg ship tracking data revealed that only two chemical tankers and one LPG carrier left the Persian Gulf on Friday.Meanwhile ANZ analysts noted that the US blockade continues to sideline about 1.7 million barrels per day of Iranian exports.Despite the breakdown, some market volatility was tempered by reports from Axios and ING suggesting Iran has submitted a fresh proposal via Pakistani mediators.This offer reportedly proposes reopening the waterway and de-escalating the conflict while delaying nuclear negotiations to a later stage."However, there are newswire reports this morning that Iran has offered the US a new proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while delaying nuclear negotiations for a later stage," ING noted.
Varun Beverages' (NSE:VBL, BOM:540180) consolidated attributable net profit rose to 8.72 billion Indian rupees in the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, from 7.26 billion rupees a year ago.Earnings per share came in at 2.58 rupees from 2.15 rupees a year earlier, the beverages bottling company said in a filing to the Indian bourses on Monday.Revenue from operations in fiscal Q1 also increased to 67.2 billion rupees from 56.8 billion rupees a year ago.The company's board declared an interim dividend of 0.50 rupees per equity share for the nominal value of 2 rupees each. The dividend will be paid on May 5.