/Companies

Aardvark Therapeutics

NASDAQ: AARD

San Diego, US · Founded 2017 · Delaware corporation · 33 employees on LinkedIn · 5 known investors

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Aardvark Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small-molecule drugs that inhibit hunger to treat metabolic diseases. Its lead compound, ARD-101, is an oral investigational drug for hunger-associated rare diseases that activates bitter taste receptors in the gut to trigger satiety signals, with potential applications in hyperphagia and obesity.

Founders & leadership

Aardvark Therapeutics was founded in 2017 by Tien Lee.

TLTien Lee
Tien LeeFounderDr. Tien Lee is the founder and CEO of Aardvark Therapeutics, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing hunger-inhibiting therapeutics for metabolic diseases. He holds an M.D. from UC San Diego and a B.A. in Molecular Biology from UC Berkeley, and previously served as Chief Strategy Officer at Nantkwest, a biotechnology company.
ZH
Zachary HornbyNamed on SEC filing
JB
Jerel BanksNamed on SEC filing
HJ
Henry JiNamed on SEC filing
BS
Bob ShinNamed on SEC filing

Board

JCJeffrey Chi
Jeffrey ChiBoard directorSenior Consultant at Vickers Venture Partners

Investors · 5

Reported raises · per SEC filings

Form D private placements

$103.1M disclosed across 3 of 5 rounds · 1900–2024

▶$85MraisedMay 2024 · 31 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Jeffrey ChiDirector
  • Victor TongDirector
  • Nelson SunExecutive Officer
  • Tien-Li LeeExecutive Officer, Director
Offering amount
$85M
Amount sold
$85M
Sales commissions
$1.7M
Placement agents
Cantor Fitzgerald & Co.
First sale
May 2024
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$9.1MraisedJun 2021 · 8 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Zachary HornbyDirector
  • Jerel BanksDirector
  • Tien-Li LeeExecutive Officer, Director
  • Jeffrey ChiDirector
  • Henry JiDirector
  • Bob ShinDirector
Offering amount
$30M
Amount sold
$9.1M
First sale
May 2021
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2017
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗
▶$9MraisedMay 2019 · 12 investors · Biotechnology
Rule 506(b)
Officers, directors & promoters on the filing
  • Bob ShinDirector
  • Tien-Li LeeExecutive Officer, Director
  • Jeffrey ChiDirector
Offering amount
$15M
Amount sold
$9M
First sale
May 2019
Incorporated
Corporation, Delaware, 2017
Federal exemptions
06b
Full filing on SEC EDGAR ↗

Source: SEC EDGAR Form D. Amounts as filed; amended filings shown once at their latest values.

Valuation · disclosed

Disclosed events
$342.4Mvaluation at IPOFeb 2025 · $16.00/share · 424B4
filing ↗

Source: SEC prospectus filings, and round valuations the company or its investors disclosed — follow each entry's link for the claim.

Founder mafia

2 people who came through Aardvark Therapeutics went on to found or lead other companies.

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In the news

Frequently asked questions

What does Aardvark Therapeutics do?
Aardvark Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing small-molecule drugs that inhibit hunger to treat metabolic diseases. Its lead compound, ARD-101, is an oral investigational drug for hunger-associated rare diseases that activates bitter taste receptors in the gut to trigger satiety signals, with potential applications in hyperphagia and obesity.
Who founded Aardvark Therapeutics?
Aardvark Therapeutics was founded by Tien Lee in 2017.
Who are Aardvark Therapeutics's investors?
Aardvark Therapeutics's investors include Decheng Capital, Vickers Venture Partners, LG Technology Ventures, Premier Partners, Felicis Ventures.
How much funding has Aardvark Therapeutics raised?
Aardvark Therapeutics has disclosed $103.1M raised across 3 of its 5 known rounds.
Where is Aardvark Therapeutics headquartered?
Aardvark Therapeutics is headquartered in San Diego, US.