UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

March 15, 2022

(Commission File No. 001-38475)

 

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

(REG. NO. 289175)

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

CAYMAN ISLANDS

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organisation)

83 CLEMENCEAU AVENUE

#12-03 UE SQUARE

SINGAPORE 239920

(Address of registrant’s principal executive office)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

Form 20-F  ☒ Form 40-F  ☐

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (1):

    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101 (b) (7):

    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

 

 

 

 

Announcement of the appointment of Dr. Alex Kaoukhov as Chief Medical Officer

On March 15, 2022, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals Limited (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing that Dr. Alex Kaoukhov has been appointed Chief Medical Officer effective immediately.  Dr. Kaoukhov will be based in the Company’s Menlo Park office and will be responsible for the global clinical development of the Company’s pipeline, including its lead program, eblasakimab (also known as ASLAN004), which is currently in a Phase 2b clinical trial where it is being investigated as a therapeutic antibody to moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis.

Dr. Kaoukhov replaces Dr. Kenneth Kobayashi, who has left the company. Dr. Kobayashi’s departure did not involve any disagreement on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices.

Further information is set out in the press release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and which is incorporated by reference herein.

The information contained in this Form 6-K is hereby incorporated by reference into the Company’s Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-234405), Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-252575), Registration Statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-254768) and Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-252118).

 

Exhibits

Exhibit
Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

 

99.1

 

Press release dated March 15, 2022 regarding announcement of the appointment of Dr. Alex Kaoukhov as Chief Medical Officer.

 


 

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized.

 

 

 

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS LIMITED

(Registrant)

 

 

By:

/s/ Kiran Kumar Asarpota

 

Name:

Kiran Kumar Asarpota

Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Date: March 15, 2022

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

PRESS RELEASE

ASLAN PHARMACEUTICALS APPOINTS DERMATOLOGY VETERAN DR ALEX KAOUKHOV AS CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER

 

 

-

Dermatologist with over twenty years of experience in senior biopharma roles in the US and Europe, including positions at Almirall, Allergan and Novartis

 

-

Strengthens leadership team as eblasakimab (also known as ASLAN004) moves into late-stage trials

 

Menlo Park, California, and Singapore, March 15, 2022 – ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ: ASLN), a clinical-stage, immunology-focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients, today announced the appointment of Alex Kaoukhov, MD, as Chief Medical Officer based in ASLAN’s US office, effective immediately.

Alex was most recently Head of Clinical Development, Senior Vice President at Bioniz Therapeutics where he established and managed a team responsible for the development of therapeutic assets for the treatment of skin and gastrointestinal autoimmune diseases.

Prior to this, from 2018 to 2020, Alex served as Head of Global Development at Almirall. His responsibilities included global clinical and non-clinical development, in addition to contributing to business development activities relating to building out the company’s medical dermatology pipeline, including the in-licensing of lebrikizumab for Europe.

Alex was also Associate Vice President of Clinical Development at Allergan in the US, with oversight of the medical dermatology pipeline. Before this, he served in clinical development leadership roles at Novartis and Galderma. During his career, Alex has designed and led large clinical trials, secured several product approvals for global programs and led the development of numerous innovative early-stage programs. At ASLAN, Alex replaces Dr Kenneth Kobayashi, who has left the company.

Dr Carl Firth, Chief Executive Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, said: “We’re pleased to welcome Alex to the executive team. Alex brings a great breadth of international dermatology and immunology experience, with a particular focus in atopic dermatitis, and track record of strong project leadership and team building, especially related to developing and running late-stage clinical studies. As eblasakimab advances through the Phase 2b study and we firm up our development plans for ASLAN003, we are looking forward to benefitting from his insights and expertise. We are grateful to Ken for his contribution to the early eblasakimab program and wish him well.”

Dr Alex Kaoukhov, Chief Medical Officer, ASLAN Pharmaceuticals, commented: “ASLAN is building an impressive pipeline of clinical assets that have the potential to offer truly differentiated options for patients. I am looking forward to working closely with the management team to lead the development of these programs at this critical stage and am very excited to join as eblasakimab is advancing through late-stage studies in atopic dermatitis.”

Prior to joining industry, Alex trained in dermatology at the Université de Paris 7 - Denis Diderot and conducted clinical research at Hôpital Saint-Louis in Paris, France.

Ends

 

 


 

 

Media and IR contacts

Emma Thompson 

Spurwing Communications 

Tel: +65 6206 7350 

Email: ASLAN@spurwingcomms.com 

 

Ashley R. Robinson 

LifeSci Advisors, LLC 

Tel: +1 (617) 430-7577  

Email: arr@lifesciadvisors.com  

About ASLAN Pharmaceuticals
ASLAN Pharmaceuticals (Nasdaq:ASLN) is a clinical-stage immunology focused biopharmaceutical company developing innovative treatments to transform the lives of patients. ASLAN is currently evaluating eblasakimab, a potential first-in-class antibody targeting the IL-13 receptor, in atopic dermatitis, and ASLAN003, a potent oral inhibitor of DHODH, which is being developed for autoimmune disease. ASLAN has a team in Menlo Park, California, and in Singapore. For additional information please visit www.aslanpharma.com or follow ASLAN on LinkedIn.