Aspire Biopharma Shares Surge 59% Following Nasdaq Debut and Clinical Milestones

Introduction

ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC (NASDAQ: ASBP) is an early-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on advancing sublingual drug and supplement delivery. Founded in September 2021 and headquartered in Humacao, Puerto Rico, with additional operations in New York, Aspire leverages a patent-pending nano- and micelle-based formulation that enables rapid absorption under the tongue, bypassing the gastrointestinal tract. As of October 1, 2025, ASBP shares are trading at $0.3279, following a 59.17% increase in the latest session, on a volume of 19,186,216 shares.

Corporate Structure

Aspire Biopharma employs between 51 and 200 professionals across research, development, regulatory, and commercial functions. Leadership includes Chief Executive Officer Kraig Higginson, with support from a medical advisory board and teams dedicated to formulation science, clinical strategy, and quality assurance. The company holds multiple patent applications with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), including:

• Application No. 63/456,290 filed March 2023 for a soluble, pH-neutral fast-acting aspirin powder
• Application No. 63/702,381 filed October 23, 2024 for high-dose aspirin using micelle-based technology

Sublingual delivery by Jaehyun Kim

Recent Developments and News

On September 3, 2024, Aspire and PowerUp Acquisition Corp. entered a definitive merger agreement valuing Aspire at a pre-money equity of approximately $316 million. The agreement closed on February 17, 2025, generating proceeds of approximately $3.8 million, which included PIPE financing. Two days later, on February 20, 2025, Aspire Biopharma began trading on the Nasdaq Global Market under the ticker symbol “ASBP.”

In the spring of 2025, the company advanced its clinical and commercial programs:

• April 9, 2025: Initiation of a Phase 1 single-center clinical study for its fast-acting high-dose aspirin formulation
• April 11, 2025: Commencement of initial production for a single-dose pre-workout supplement using its sublingual delivery platform
• April 14 and May 8, 2025: Corporate presentations at the Emerging Growth Conference and Sidoti Virtual Investor Conference, respectively, outlining Aspire’s pipeline and development milestones
• April 29, 2025: Institutional Review Board approval for the clinical trial protocol on the lead aspirin candidate

On September 26, 2025, Aspire filed an amended Form S-1/A, and on September 29, 2025, the SEC declared the registration statement effective, allowing for potential equity offerings.

Financial and Strategic Analysis

Aspire’s February 17, 2025 business combination with PowerUp Acquisition Corp. provided approximately $3.8 million in gross proceeds, aimed at funding clinical trials, expanding internal R&D, and pursuing key partnerships. With a pre-merger valuation of $316 million, the company has positioned itself to leverage its proprietary sublingual platform across multiple therapeutic categories, including cardiology emergencies, pain management, erectile dysfunction, bi-hormonal drugs, and nutraceuticals. The current share price of $0.3279 and an average daily volume exceeding 19 million shares indicate market interest, while the SEC’s Notice of Effectiveness on September 29, 2025, enhances opportunities for future equity raises.

Market Position and Industry Context

Sublingual drug delivery represents a niche in the broader pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets, offering faster onset of action and higher bioavailability compared to traditional oral formulations. Aspire’s patent-pending technology targets unmet needs such as rapid intervention in cardiac incidents and improved consumer compliance for supplements. As regulatory engagement increases, particularly with potential fast-track FDA designations, the company competes with both established drug delivery firms and emerging biotech startups. Its reliance on partnerships for production and clinical execution allows Aspire to address the demand for non-invasive, rapid-onset therapies.

tl;dr

ASPIRE BIOPHARMA HOLDINGS INC completed its SPAC merger on February 17, 2025, raising approximately $3.8 million, and began Nasdaq trading under ASBP on February 20, 2025. Clinical and production milestones in April 2025 included the initiation of a Phase 1 aspirin trial and the commencement of initial supplement manufacturing. The SEC declared its S-1 registration effective on September 29, 2025, enabling potential capital raises. Upcoming developments include Phase 1 data readouts and the expansion of the sublingual delivery pipeline.