Our Science

Taste receptors are more than sensory “buds” on the tongue — they are widely distributed chemoreceptors found throughout the body, particularly on mucosal surfaces such as the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary tracts, as well as in organs like the heart, liver, ovaries, and testes.
The TAS2R system is activated by bitter-active compounds, which — like proteins, carbohydrates, and salts — are essential to healthy physiology. Diets rich in bitter foods and traditional medicines often derive their benefits from these compounds.
Pharmacological activation of TAS2Rs has been shown to:

• Enhance metabolic function via increased GLP-1, GLP-2, PYY, CCK, and ghrelin

• Reduce inflammation by lowering pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines

• Suppress cellular senescence, potentially slowing age-related decline

We approach TAS2R modulation as a combinatoric biology opportunity — where a single receptor can produce distinct effects depending on its tissue location. For example, TAS2R1 activation in the gut can increase GLP-1 systemically, while in adipose tissue it can reduce inflammatory signaling. This versatility offers multiple “shots on goal” for multi-system diseases like obesity, diabetes, PCOS, and MASH.