Understanding the Signals that Guide our Treatment
Aardvark is developing compounds that target Bitter Taste Receptors (TAS2Rs) to address hunger-associated conditions. Our lead program, ARD-101, is designed to target receptors expressed on enteroendocrine cells in the gut lumen, which play a key role in gut-brain signaling. This innovative approach sets us apart from existing treatments and therapies in development.
Role of TAS2Rs in the Gut-Brain Axis:
When activated, TAS2Rs expressed on enteroendocrine cells trigger the local release of gut peptides such as cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These peptides bind to receptors on the vagus nerve, triggering signals to the brain to regulate satiety and food intake.
Role of TAS2Rs in the Gut-Brain Axis:
When activated, TAS2Rs expressed on enteroendocrine cells trigger the local release of gut peptides such as cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). These peptides bind to receptors on the vagus nerve, triggering signals to the brain to regulate satiety and food intake.
CCK, a Neuropeptide, Plays an Established Role in Metabolic Regulation
Neuropeptides are natural regulators of metabolism, hunger, weight, and inflammation.
Hunger
Weight
Inflammation
Harnessing a Promising Obesity Target
The gut hormone CCK, which is known to play a key role in regulating satiety, has long been considered a promising pharmaceutical target. However, challenges with systemic exposure of CCK analogues have led to toxicity, raising safety concerns and causing adverse effects.
Favorable Safety Profile of ARD-101
In our preclinical studies and clinical trials to date, ARD-101 has been shown to be restricted to the gut with minimal systemic exposure (~1%). By being limited to the gut, ARD-101 has the potential to regulate hunger and metabolism through gut-brain signaling while potentially minimizing the risk of toxic effects on other tissues of the body.
