Akero Therapeutics (NASDAQ:AKRO) is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapies for severe metabolic and liver diseases. The company’s core focus is nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive form of fatty liver disease with significant unmet medical need. Utilizing engineered protein technology, Akero aims to restore metabolic homeostasis through molecules that mimic natural hormones and signaling pathways.
The lead investigational product in Akero’s pipeline is efruxifermin, an analog of the hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), which has shown promising results in reducing liver fat content and improving key biomarkers in Phase 2 clinical studies. In addition to efruxifermin, Akero is advancing complementary programs targeting other liver-related conditions and metabolic disorders, with the goal of creating combination regimens that address both liver pathology and systemic metabolic dysfunction.
Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Akero went public in mid-2020 and maintains clinical and research operations across North America, Europe and Asia. The company collaborates with leading academic institutions and contract research organizations to support patient recruitment and trial execution worldwide. These partnerships enable Akero to accelerate the development timeline and ensure broad access to its innovative candidates.
Under the leadership of President and Chief Executive Officer John Dieck, who brings extensive experience from prior roles at Amgen and other biotech firms, Akero’s management team combines seasoned drug-development expertise with a commitment to scientific innovation. Supported by a board of directors composed of industry veterans, the company is well positioned to advance its portfolio toward regulatory milestones and, ultimately, deliver new therapeutic options for patients with liver and metabolic diseases.
