Metabolize has raised $3.2 million in seed financing to accelerate commercialization of its Precision Metabolite Technology and support the development, validation, and manufacturing of metabolic health products based on Stanford Medicine-originated research. The round was led by Astanor, with participation from Maia Ventures, LongGame Venture, and SOSV.
Metabolize plans to use the funding in part to support the January 2027 launch of NATLEAN, its first consumer product, while continuing to build a broader portfolio of metabolic health products.
Founded in 2024 by Dr. Morris Laster and Gideon Meir, Metabolize develops products based on naturally occurring compounds with defined biological roles identified through research led by Jonathan Long, PhD, associate professor of pathology at Stanford Medicine.
Through an exclusive license to Stanford-originated intellectual property, Metabolize is translating those patent-protected discoveries into consumer metabolic health products. The company describes its approach as Precision Metabolite Technology, which focuses on compounds supported by published scientific research and formulations with consistent compositions and defined mechanisms of action.
NATLEAN is being developed for individuals transitioning off GLP-1 therapies and is intended to support appetite regulation, reduce what the company describes as “food noise,” and promote long-term weight management. It represents the first commercial application of the company’s Precision Metabolite Technology, with additional products under development.
Metabolize is positioning its technology around a growing population of consumers who are tapering off or discontinuing GLP-1 treatments, as well as people who are not candidates for those therapies and are looking for additional science-based metabolic health products.
Since its founding, the San Francisco-based company has secured its exclusive Stanford Medicine-originated license, advanced its manufacturing and analytical capabilities, and developed the scientific and intellectual property foundation for its Precision Metabolite Technology platform.
KEY QUOTES:
“GLP-1 therapies have fundamentally changed the landscape of weight management and metabolic health, but they haven’t solved every challenge. There is a large and growing population of people who are tapering off treatment, cycling off, or who simply aren’t candidates for GLP-1s and are seeking science-backed solutions that support long-term weight management. We founded Metabolize to translate groundbreaking research into innovative consumer products that address these unmet needs and ultimately help people live healthier lives.”
Dr. Morris Laster, Founder And CEO Of Metabolize
“Metabolic health is one of the most significant and underserved challenges facing consumers today. At Astanor, we believe there is a growing need for science-backed solutions that complement existing approaches and help people achieve better long-term health. What stood out to us about Metabolize was the strength of the original research, the team’s thoughtful approach to translating that science into consumer products, and their vision for building a new category in metabolic health. We’re excited to support Dr. Laster and team as they bring that vision to life.”
Christina Ulardic, Partner At Astanor
