Aspire Biopharma Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASBP) has announced positive clinical results for its sublingual aspirin formulation and outlined key development milestones through 2026, positioning the company for potential FDA submission in the second half of 2025. The company's patent-pending sublingual delivery technology aims to reformulate approved drugs for multi-billion-dollar markets by improving bioavailability and patient outcomes.
Sublingual Aspirin Shows Superior Performance
Aspire's investigational sublingual aspirin product demonstrated superior pharmacokinetic properties compared to conventional chewed aspirin tablets in recently concluded clinical trials. The sublingual formulation produced higher and more rapid mean plasma concentrations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), the active antiplatelet form of aspirin, while maintaining an excellent safety profile with no reported adverse events.
Notably, Aspire's sublingual formulation significantly inhibited serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) within the first two minutes after dosing compared to chewed oral aspirin tablets. TxB2 serves as a biomarker for aspirin's effect on platelet aggregation, indicating the formulation's potential effectiveness in inhibiting blood clotting during heart attacks.
"These important results underscore the potential of Aspire's sublingual aspirin product to be the market-leading treatment for suspected acute myocardial infarction," the company stated, emphasizing that heart disease remains the leading cause of death in America.
Regulatory Strategy and Timeline
Aspire plans to request a meeting with the FDA in the second half of 2025 to discuss the 505(b)(2) regulatory pathway for its high-dose aspirin product. The company targets submission of its New Drug Application (NDA) during the same timeframe, seeking accelerated approval based on the clinical trial results.
The 505(b)(2) pathway allows companies to rely on existing safety and efficacy data for approved drugs while demonstrating the benefits of their reformulated versions, potentially expediting the regulatory process.
Expanding Pipeline Development
Beyond aspirin, Aspire is advancing sublingual formulations of other high-value medications. For erectile dysfunction treatment, the company has developed a sublingual formulation designed to provide more rapid onset compared to oral medications. Aspire plans to finalize formulation and manufacture test products in the first half of 2026, followed by a Phase 1 pharmacokinetic cross-over study in mid-2026 using six to eight volunteers.
The company believes current oral ED medications are limited by slower absorption and partial digestion, making rapid sublingual delivery particularly valuable in this therapeutic area.
GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Innovation
Aspire's scientists are in final development phases for a sublingual semaglutide formulation, targeting the diabetes and weight management markets. The company plans to finalize formulation and manufacture test products in the first half of 2026, with an initial Phase 1 pharmacokinetic clinical cross-over study scheduled for the same period.
According to Aspire, current semaglutide administration routes—both injectable and oral—present challenges related to patient adherence, side effects, and absorption. The sublingual formulation could provide an alternative that reduces adverse effects and addresses patient concerns about injectable treatments.
Technology Platform and Future Applications
Aspire's patent-pending sublingual delivery technology delivers drugs directly to the bloodstream while bypassing the gastrointestinal tract, potentially improving effectiveness and reducing side effects. The platform can be applied to various active pharmaceutical ingredients and bioactive substances, spanning both small and large molecule therapeutics.
"Our pipeline is focused on research in therapeutic areas where we can increase speed to bioavailability, reduce the incidence of side effects and improve patient compliance of approved drugs," said Kraig Higginson, Interim CEO of Aspire Biopharma.
The company is also considering formulations for anti-nausea products, anti-psychotic medications, seizure treatments, and other drug classes using its sublingual delivery approach. Aspire plans to leverage strategic business development and licensing opportunities while working with major pharmaceutical companies to implement its delivery mechanism with high-value, large-market drugs.
