Metabolize, a science-first consumer health company built on research originating at Stanford Medicine, has completed a US$3.2 million Seed financing round. The company announced the funding on October 15, 2026, from its headquarters in San Francisco. The capital is intended to accelerate commercialization of its Precision Metabolite Technology and advance its metabolic health product pipeline.
Seed Funding Led by Astanor
The round was led by Astanor, a global impact investment firm focused on the agriculture and food value chain. Maia Ventures, LongGame Venture, and SOSV also participated in the financing. The investment will support the planned launch of NATLEAN in January 2027 and expand Metabolize's portfolio of proprietary products powered by Precision Metabolite Technology.
Precision Metabolite Technology and Product Pipeline
Metabolize was founded in 2024 by Dr. Morris Laster and Gideon Meir. Its technology is based on naturally occurring compounds with defined biological roles identified through research led by Jonathan Long, PhD, associate professor of pathology at Stanford Medicine. Under an exclusive license to Stanford-originated intellectual property, the company is translating these patent-protected discoveries into consumer metabolic health products.
The first commercial product, NATLEAN, is expected to launch in January 2027. It is designed to support individuals transitioning off GLP-1 therapies by helping reduce food noise, supporting healthy appetite regulation, and promoting long-term weight management. NATLEAN represents the initial application of Precision Metabolite Technology, with additional products in development across the broader metabolic health portfolio.
Addressing Gaps in Metabolic Health
Dr. Morris Laster, founder and CEO of Metabolize, noted that GLP-1 therapies have reshaped weight management but have not solved every challenge. He described a large and growing population of people who are tapering off treatment, cycling off, or who simply are not candidates for GLP-1s and are seeking science-backed solutions. Metabolize was founded to translate groundbreaking research into innovative consumer products that address these unmet needs.
Investor Perspective
Christina Ulardic, Partner at Astanor, said metabolic health is one of the most significant and underserved challenges facing consumers today. She noted Astanor sees a growing need for science-backed solutions that complement existing approaches and help people achieve better long-term health. Ulardic highlighted the strength of the original research, the team's thoughtful approach to translation, and the vision for building a new category in metabolic health.
About Metabolize and Astanor
Metabolize is a science-first consumer health company commercializing Precision Metabolite Technology developed from Stanford Medicine-originated research. Since its founding, the company has secured an exclusive license to Stanford Medicine-originated research, advanced its manufacturing and analytical capabilities, and established the scientific foundation and intellectual property portfolio for its platform. Astanor is a global impact investment firm focused on businesses across the entire agriculture and food value chain.
Metabolize's US$3.2 million Seed round positions the company to bring its first product powered by Precision Metabolite Technology to market in early 2027. The financing supports continued investment in development, validation, and manufacturing as the company works to establish a new category of metabolic health solutions. With a foundation in Stanford Medicine research and backing from specialized investors, Metabolize aims to address unmet needs in long-term weight management and metabolic health.