Aardvark Therapeutics voluntarily paused dosing and enrollment in its Phase III HERO trial of ARD‑101 for hyperphagia in Prader‑Willi syndrome after routine safety monitoring identified reversible cardiac observations in a healthy‑volunteer study at supra‑therapeutic doses. The company also paused the open‑label extension while it conducts a comprehensive review of the data, the CEO said in a release. The pause removes Aardvark’s timeline for a planned third‑quarter topline readout and sent shares tumbling as investors reassessed program risk. ARD‑101 is a gut‑restricted TAS2R pan‑agonist intended to stimulate enteroendocrine signaling to reduce appetite; the safety signals were seen at doses above the planned therapeutic range. Aardvark said it remains committed to advancing the program but will evaluate optimal dosing and next steps based on the safety review.