<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0206</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2019-06-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001744659</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>Akero Therapeutics, Inc.</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AKRO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001591747</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Bitterman Kevin</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O AKERO THERAPEUTICS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>170 HARBOR WAY, 3RD FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94080</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3469759</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>235099</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>See footnote</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock on a 3.07418-for-one basis into the number of shares of common stock shown in column 3 at any time at the holder's election and automatically upon the closing of the Issuer's initial public offering. The Series A Preferred Stock has no expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">These shares are owned directly by Atlas Venture Fund XI, L.P. (&quot;AVF XI&quot;).   Atlas Venture Associates XI, L.P. (&quot;AVA XI LP&quot;) is the general partner of AVF XI. Atlas Venture Associates XI, LLC (&quot;AVA XI LLC&quot;) is the general partner of AVA XI LP. Kevin Bitterman is a member of AVA XI LP and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Bitterman disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares listed, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Each share of Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock on a 3.07418-for-one basis into the number of shares of common stock shown in column 3 at any time at the holder's election and automatically upon the closing of the Issuer's initial public offering. The Series B Preferred Stock has no expiration date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">These shares are owned directly by Atlas Venture Opportunity Fund I, L.P.(&quot;AVO I&quot;).  Atlas Venture Associates Opportunity I, L.P. (&quot;AVAO LP&quot;) is the general partner of AVO I.  Atlas Venture Associates Opportunity I, LLC (&quot;AVAO LLC&quot;) is the general partner of AVAO LP.   Kevin Bitterman is a member of AVAO LLC and a member of our board of directors. Mr. Bitterman disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares listed, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Kevin Bitterman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2019-06-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
