New MacBook Pro (M1) does not mount optical drive

Have used Asus U9M ZenDrive (USB CD/DVD optical drive) with 2016 13” MacBook Pro - most recently running Big Sur 11.2.3. Zero issues.

Just bought new 13” MBP (Apple M1 silicon), also running Big Sur 11.2.3. When Asus drive connected to this new MBP (w/Apple USB-C to USB Adapter) following happens:

1. About This Mac=>System Report=>Hardware=>USB shows an external drive is connected

2. With drive drawer open, disk eject arrow (on the menu bar) says "Close Asus SDRW" and System Preferences window shows a "CDs & DVDs" icon

3. With drive drawer closed, disk eject arrow says "No Drives” and System Preferences shows no icon for the drive

4. Disk Utility does not see the Asus ZenDrive

5. Neither Finder nor any other application sees the Asus ZenDrive

Have had conversations with Apple support (twice) and with Asus, neither of whom have a solution.

Has anyone seen/resolved this issue ?