Aardvark Therapeutics, led by CEO Tien Lee, M.D., is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel small-molecule therapeutics that activate innate homeostatic pathways for metabolic diseases, inflammation, and other indications. Its lead compound, oral ARD-101, is a potent bitter taste receptor (TAS2R) pan-agonist that stimulates enteroendocrine cells of the digestive tract to release multiple gut-peptide hormones including GLP-1 and the satiety hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). ARD-101 has demonstrated an ability to reduce hunger when used alone or in combination with currently available GLP-1 therapies, and based on promising clinical data the FDA has granted the drug both Orphan Drug designation and Rare Pediatric Disease designation in Prader-Willi Syndrome. The company intends to use the Series C proceeds to complete the clinical trials required for regulatory approval of ARD-101 for hyperphagia in PWS and to demonstrate ARD-101’s complementary mechanism of action to current GLP-1 therapies in the treatment of obesity. Aardvark also plans to advance other pipeline programs with the financing. The company is based in San Diego, CA. Aardvark Therapeutics, led by CEO Tien Lee, M.D., is a San Diego-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel small molecule therapeutics to activate innate homeostatic pathways for metabolic diseases. Its lead compound, ARD-101, is a first-in-class small molecule TAS2R pan-agonist that demonstrated safety in Phase 1 human trials. ARD-101 has shown beneficial effects in animal models of obesity, hyperphagia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation. The company plans to use newly raised capital to complete three Phase 2 clinical trials of ARD-101 and to advance several potential additional formulations for major indications. Founded in 2017, Aardvark has multiple other programs in its pipeline and has already partnered one program to Sorrento Therapeutics. The company completed a $29M Series B financing to fund these activities.

Total raised

$114M

Funding rounds

2

Latest round

Series C

Latest activity

May 2024