Thanakos

Thanakos is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel treatments for obesity and metabolic dysfunction. The company was co-founded by Nobel Prize winners Michael S. Brown and Joseph L. Goldstein, whose pioneering work on cholesterol metabolism laid the foundation for the development of statins. Thanakos focuses on identifying and targeting unique pathways that regulate energy balance and fat storage, leveraging the founders' deep expertise in lipid metabolism. In May 2024, the company was acquired by AstraZeneca for approximately $68 million, integrating its innovative research into AstraZeneca's broader cardiometabolic and renal disease portfolio. The lead program, THN001, is currently in the preclinical stage and aims to provide a differentiated approach to weight management and metabolic health.