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.
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.
