Akero Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage company, engages in the development of transformational treatments for patients with serious metabolic diseases, including non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a disease without any approved therapies.

Its lead product candidate is efruxifermin (EFX), an analog of fibroblast growth factor 21, which protects against cellular stress and regulates metabolism of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins throughout the body.

The company is also conducting a Phase 2b clinical trial to evaluate EFX in the treatment of biopsy-confirmed NASH patients.

The company was formerly known as Pippin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and changed its name to Akero Therapeutics, Inc. in May 2018.

Akero Therapeutics, Inc. was incorporated in 2017 and is headquartered in South San Francisco, California.