ARDK-2121

ARDK-2121 is an oral small molecule agonist of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) being developed by Aardvark Therapeutics. It is designed to stimulate the release of endogenous gut peptides, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and cholecystokinin (CCK), from enteroendocrine cells to regulate appetite and metabolic homeostasis. The compound is primarily targeted toward the treatment of Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) and general obesity. By activating TAS2Rs in the gut, ARDK-2121 mimics the physiological signaling of bitter compounds to induce satiety and improve glycemic control. It has undergone Phase I evaluation (under the study code QSC303217) to assess safety and pharmacokinetics and is currently in Phase II clinical development.