Lipidio Pharmaceuticals Expands Advisory Team with Appointment of Renowned Experts Arne Astrup, MD and Mark Lappe

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lipidio Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing transformative therapies for metabolic and dermatologic diseases, today announced the appointment of two distinguished leaders as Executive Advisors to the CEO:  Professor Arne Astrup, MD and Mark Lappe. The addition of these seasoned experts underscores Lipidio's commitment to advancing its lead program, GDD3898, for obesity and sebaceous hyperplasia, with world-class scientific, strategic, and operational guidance. 

"We are honored to welcome Arne and Mark as Executive Advisors," said Gordon Foulkes, Chief Executive Officer of Lipidio. "Arne's unmatched scientific leadership in obesity and metabolic disease, combined with Mark's proven track record of building and scaling successful biotech companies, will be invaluable as we advance our GDD3898 program and prepare for the next stage of growth."

GDD3898 is the world's first topically administered therapy in development for the treatment of obesity and retention of lean muscle related to weight loss.  GDD3898 exploits the growing recognition of skin as a neuroendocrine organ, harnessing multiple signaling mechanisms to deliver systemic benefits including significant decreases in weight, total body fat and liver fibrosis.  Lipidio is currently preparing to initiate a Phase 2 study of GDD3898 to generate clinical proof-of-concept for its novel mechanism of action.

"I am excited to join Lipidio as an Executive Advisor at such a pivotal time," said Dr. Arne Astrup. "Lipidio's focus on developing innovative therapies for obesity and metabolic diseases aligns directly with my lifelong mission of advancing science to improve patient outcomes. I look forward to contributing my experience to help shape the Company's strategy and accelerate the impact that GDD3898 is expected to have on patients."

"I am honored to support Lipidio's leadership team as an Executive Strategic Advisor," said Mark Lappe. "The Company is advancing a bold vision to bring GDD3898, the first topically administered therapy for obesity to patients with metabolic disorders. It's an entirely new approach to treating systemic disease. With my background in building and financing biotech organizations, I look forward to helping Lipidio navigate growth opportunities and realize its full potential."

Professor Arne Astrup, MD, DMSc.

Professor Astrup is a globally recognized leader in obesity, nutrition, and metabolic disease research. He most recently served as Senior Vice President at the Novo Nordisk Foundation and, from 2020–2025, led its Department of Obesity and Nutritional Sciences. He is the past President of the World Obesity Federation and founding editor-in-chief of Obesity Reviews.

Among his many scientific achievements, Professor Astrup co-discovered with Professor Jens Holst in 1996 that GLP-1 is a satiety hormone in humans—a discovery that underpins the use of GLP-1 agonists as obesity and diabetes therapies. He also played a pivotal role in Denmark's 2004 ban on industrially produced trans fats, a landmark event in global public health. Professor Astrup has published more than 1000 peer-reviewed papers, is among the most cited researchers worldwide, and has been recognized with numerous international awards for his contributions to nutrition and prevention and management of cardiometabolic diseases.

Mark Lappe

Mark Lappe is an accomplished biotechnology executive with over thirty years of experience in executive management, investment, and leadership. He co-founded Inhibrx in 2010 and has served as Chief Executive Officer since its inception, also acting as Chairman of the Board of Directors. Under his leadership, Inhibrx secured private financing, completed a successful IPO in 2020, and achieved a landmark $2B acquisition by Sanofi of its AATD program in 2024, alongside the concurrent public spin-out of its oncology programs as Inhibrx Bio.

In addition to his executive leadership, Mr. Lappe actively invests in public and private companies through his family office, bringing a wealth of strategic insight and operational expertise to Lipidio.

About Lipidio Pharmaceuticals

Lipidio Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused on transforming molecules into the right medicines for dermatological and metabolic diseases. Lipidio's lead program, GDD3898, is in clinical development for the treatment of multiple conditions with unmet medical needs including obesity and dermatological conditions, such as moderate to severe acne and sebaceous hyperplasia. Lipidio is headquartered in San Diego, CA.

To learn more, please visit https://lipidiopharma.com

Contact:
Amy Conrad
Juniper Point
858-366-3243
[email protected]

SOURCE Lipidio Pharmaceuticals, Inc.