ZyVersa Therapeutics: Plasma Inflammasome ASC Levels Show Potential as Early Cognitive Biomarker in Older Adults

ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company, has announced significant findings from a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences by researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. The study revealed that plasma levels of ASC, an inflammasome adaptor protein, could serve as a biomarker for early cognitive decline in older adults.

The study underscored the role of inflammasome-induced inflammation in the development of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. It found that heightened plasma ASC levels were present in older adults who were cognitively normal at the study's onset but exhibited cognitive decline one year later. This elevation was particularly notable in individuals aged 70 and above, suggesting that plasma ASC levels can signal early cognitive impairment.

Additionally, the study found that plasma ASC levels were elevated in those with initial normal cognition who declined over a year compared to individuals who were impaired both at the beginning and end of the study period. This indicates that plasma ASC can differentiate between early cognitive decline and established cognitive impairment.

Dr. Juan Pablo de Rivero Vaccari, an associate professor at the University of Miami and a key researcher in the study, emphasized the critical need for reliable, minimally invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of brain impairments. According to Dr. de Rivero Vaccari, the study's data suggest that plasma ASC levels are a robust early indicator of cognitive decline, especially in people over 70 years old.

ZyVersa Therapeutics is focused on developing the Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100, aimed at inhibiting multiple types of inflammasomes and their ASC components that cause damaging inflammation. The company believes that IC 100 can address a range of inflammatory diseases, including neurodegenerative conditions and obesity-related metabolic complications.

Stephen C. Glover, ZyVersa's Co-founder, Chairman, CEO, and President, highlighted the company's commitment to combating inflammasome-related inflammation in various diseases. He noted that the findings from the University of Miami study reinforce the potential of IC 100 in treating conditions characterized by excessive inflammasome activation.

IC 100 is a novel humanized monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC. By binding to a specific region of ASC, IC 100 prevents the formation of inflammasomes, thereby blocking the activation of inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β. This action helps attenuate the inflammatory response and potentially curbs the progression of inflammasome-mediated diseases.

ZyVersa is leveraging its proprietary technologies to develop first-in-class drugs aimed at inflammatory and renal diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The company is advancing IC 100 for obesity and its metabolic complications and Cholesterol Efflux Mediator VAR 200 for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). ZyVersa's approach offers a "pipeline within a product," with each therapeutic area holding potential for multiple indications, targeting a market worth over $100 billion.

In summary, the study published by the University of Miami researchers has identified plasma ASC levels as a promising biomarker for early cognitive decline, especially in older adults. ZyVersa Therapeutics is actively developing IC 100, an inhibitor targeting inflammasome-related inflammation, which could have broad applications in treating neurodegenerative and other inflammatory conditions.