This is part of a series about new obesity drugs that are transforming patients’ lives, dividing medical experts, and spurring one of the biggest business battles in years.
In the News
Aardvark Therapeutics has been featured in numerous online resources and media sites.
- November 25, 2022
Josh Sullivan, Associate Editor Endpoints News – August 5 2021
When Aardvark Therapeutics CEO Tien Lee started his work on the biotech’s lead candidate, appetite suppression was the goal for the small molecule. Soon after, his team started to see added benefits with lower blood glucose levels and anti-inflammatory activity. On the tail end of that, the company has emerged from stealth mode and announced today that they’ve raised enough cash in the B round to cover mid-stage development work.
- November 6, 2021
San Diego, Calif., November 2, 2020 – Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc., today announced that it will present two posters at the 2020 Obesity Week Conference which is being held in virtual format this year due to COVID-19 from November 2 -6, 2020.
Presentation details are as follows:
Poster Title: Efficacy of ARD-101, a Bitter Taste Receptor (TAS2R) Agonist, in Rodent Models of Obesity
Presenter: Andreas Niethammer, MD PhD
Track: Track 1: Metabolism and Integrative Physiology
Category: HPA Axis
Poster #: 170
Poster Title: Microbiome Changes in Mice After Treatment with ARD-101,a Bitter Taste Receptor (TAS2R) Agonist
Presenter: Andreas Niethammer, MD PhD
Track: Track 1: Metabolism and Integrative Physiology
Category: NAFLD
Poster #: 282
About Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc.:
Aardvark Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel small molecule therapeutics for inflammation, metabolic diseases, and other indications.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, statements that look forward in time or that express management’s beliefs, expectations or hopes. Such statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and use words such as “may,” “estimate,” “could,” “expect” and others. They are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These statements include those regarding our plans, expectations and goals regarding the clinical trial, our future development plans, and the potential benefits of ARD-101 in multiple clinical indication. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, that our plans, expectations and goals regarding the clinical trial are subject to factors beyond our control. Our clinical trial may not produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and any necessary changes during the course of the trial could prove time consuming and costly. In regard to our clinical trial, we may have difficulty in enrolling candidates for testing, which would impact our estimates regarding timing, and we may not be able to achieve the desired results. Upon receipt of FDA approval, we may face competition with other drugs and treatments that are currently approved or those that are currently in development, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve revenues from this proposed indication. Plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any of our drugs, including ARD-101, are subject to change at any time based on the changing needs of our company as determined by management and regulatory agencies. To date, we have incurred operating losses since our inception, and our ability to successfully develop and market drugs may be impacted by our ability to manage costs and finance our continuing operations. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc.
Contact:
[email protected]
- November 6, 2021
- Funds will support three Phase 2 clinical trials of Aardvark’s lead compound to be initiated this year and advance additional products in the pipeline
San Diego, CA, August 5, 2021 – Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc. is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing and commercializing novel small molecule therapeutics to activate innate homeostatic pathways for the treatment of metabolic diseases, inflammation, and other indications. Aardvark proudly announces a successful completion of a $29million Series B financing. The financing was led by Sorrento Therapeutics with participation from existing investors including Vickers Venture Partners, Premier Partners, BNH Investment, and Korea Omega. The Foundation for Prader-Willi Research also participated as an investor in the Series B.
The funds raised will be deployed to (1) complete three Phase 2 clinical trials of the company’s lead compound, ARD-101,a potent first-in-class small molecule TAS2R (bitter taste receptor) pan-agonist; and (2) to advance several potential additional formulations for major indications. ARD-101 demonstrated safety in Phase 1 human trials. Further, ARD-101 has been shown to convey beneficial effects in animal models of obesity as well as hyperphagia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and inflammation.
Commenting on the developments, Aardvark Therapeutics CEO, Tien Lee, M.D., commented: We believe our lead compound, ARD-101, is differentiated from existing standard-of-care drugs in both its anticipated safety profile as well as its potential broad spectrum of effects. It is a first-in-class compound that impacts metabolic and inflammatory mediators. We are delighted that our existing investors are confident with our progress as well as the interest of new investors,in maximizing the potential of this unique therapeutic composition.”
John Walter, CEO of the Foundation for Prader Willi Research (FPWR), added, “The Foundation for Prader Willi Research is excited to partner with Aardvark to launch their Phase 2 trial in Prader Willi Syndrome (PWS) later this year. Given the spectrum nature of PWS there is recognition that we will need multiple therapies to address the hallmark symptoms of the disorder. Aardvark’s ARD-101 targets multiple pathways potentially relevant to PWS and has the potential of improving the lives of those suffering from PWS and those who care for them.”
About ARD-101
Aardvark’s lead product, ARD-101, is a first-in-class oral composition that has shown promising activity in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss in pre-clinical studies. Phase 1 studies demonstrated safety and tolerability in healthy human volunteers; Phase 2 studies, starting later this summer, will measure the drug’s efficacy and safety. ARD-101 is substantially gut restricted with minimal systemic exposure yet conveys systemic effects via activation of gut peptide hormone secretion.
About Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc.:
A clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on developing novel small molecule therapeutics to activate innate homeostatic pathways for the treatment of metabolic diseases, inflammation, and other indications. Founded in 2017, the company has now advanced ARD-101 to Phase 2. Aardvark has multiple other programs in its pipeline and has already partnered one to Sorrento Therapeutics, the lead investor in the Series B round.
For more information visit www.aardvarktherapeutics.com.
About Sorrento Therapeutics
Sorrento is a clinical stage, antibody-centric, biopharmaceutical company developing new therapies to treat cancers, non-opioid pain treatments and COVID-19.
For more information visit www.sorrentotherapeutics.com.
About Foundation for Prader-Willi Research
The Foundation was established in 2003 by a small group of parents who saw the need to foster research that would help their children with Prader-Willi syndrome lead healthier and fulfilling lives. Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic disorder seen in 1 of 15,000 births that results in profound insatiable hunger leading to severe obesity, diabetes and behavioral problems.With the support of the PWS community, the FPWR has played an instrumental role in advancing the field of PWS research by supporting innovative research, encouraging collaboration, engaging pharmaceutical companies, and enabling a research-ready community.
For more information, visit www.fpwr.org
Contacts:
Aardvark Therapeutics:
- November 6, 2021
San Diego, Calif., December 2, 2020 – Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc., today announced that it presented a corporate overview at the 32nd Annual Piper Sandler Healthcare Conference on Monday, November 30.
About Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc.:
Aardvark Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on the development of novel small molecule therapeutics to activate innate homeostatic pathways for the treatment of disease.
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains, in addition to historical information, statements that look forward in time or that express management’s beliefs, expectations or hopes. Such statements are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance, and use words such as “may,” “estimate,” “could,” “expect” and others. They are based on our current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the statements. These statements include those regarding our plans, expectations and goals regarding the clinical trial, our future development plans, and the potential benefits of ARD-101 in multiple clinical indication. Factors that could cause our actual performance to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, that our plans, expectations and goals regarding the clinical trial are subject to factors beyond our control. Our clinical trial may not produce positive results in a timely fashion, if at all, and any necessary changes during the course of the trial could prove time consuming and costly. In regard to our clinical trial, we may have difficulty in enrolling candidates for testing, which would impact our estimates regarding timing, and we may not be able to achieve the desired results. Upon receipt of FDA approval, we may face competition with other drugs and treatments that are currently approved or those that are currently in development, which could have an adverse impact on our ability to achieve revenues from this proposed indication. Plans regarding development, approval and marketing of any of our drugs, including ARD-101, are subject to change at any time based on the changing needs of our company as determined by management and regulatory agencies. To date, we have incurred operating losses since our inception, and our ability to successfully develop and market drugs may be impacted by our ability to manage costs and finance our continuing operations. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although subsequent events may cause our views to change, we disclaim any obligation to update forward-looking statements.
SOURCE Aardvark Therapeutics, Inc.
Contact:
[email protected]
