ZyVersa Therapeutics Publishes Study Showing IC 100 Protects Against Stroke-Related Cardiovascular Injury

ZyVersa Therapeutics, Inc. has released new data showcasing the impact of AIM2 inflammasome activation on cardiovascular injury following a stroke and how their Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100 can block this process. Strokes affect 795,000 people each year in the United States, with obesity being a significant risk factor, contributing to about 20% of cases. Cardiac complications resulting from strokes are a leading cause of death and health issues, second only to the immediate neurological damage.

The study emphasized that the cardiac dysfunction seen after a stroke is driven by a surge of catecholamines like epinephrine. This leads to inflammasome activation and a systemic inflammatory response. The new data demonstrated that IC 100 could inhibit AIM2 inflammasome activation and prevent cell death (pyroptosis) in the heart, thus improving cardiac function. This points to the potential of IC 100 as a treatment for obesity-related cardiovascular complications.

Stephen C. Glover, ZyVersa’s Co-founder and CEO, highlighted the significance of these findings, suggesting that IC 100 could significantly reduce the cardiovascular diseases linked to stroke, especially in obese patients. He pointed out the alarming rise in obesity-related cardiovascular deaths from 1999 to 2020 and stressed the urgent need for effective therapeutic solutions. Glover also noted that unlike other inhibitors targeting NLRP3, IC 100 is unique in that it targets ASC, thereby blocking the activation of multiple inflammasomes, including AIM2. This broader targeting is crucial for mitigating the systemic inflammation that follows a stroke.

The published study, appearing in Translational Stroke Research, was conducted by researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. They used a mouse model of photothrombotic stroke (PTS) and zebrafish hearts to investigate the effects of stroke-induced catecholamine surge on inflammasome activation in the heart. The key findings included that PTS in mice activated the AIM2 inflammasome in the heart, leading to increased levels of IL-1β and ASC oligomerization, which contribute to cardiac inflammation after a stroke. Treatment with IC 100 significantly reduced these inflammasome proteins and IL-1β levels in the heart, thereby decreasing cardiac inflammation. Additionally, epinephrine-treated zebrafish hearts showed a shortened action potential duration, a condition linked to irregular heart rhythms and reduced cardiac efficiency, which IC 100 was able to attenuate.

Dr. Robert W. Keane, a professor at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, remarked that these findings offer a promising framework for developing treatments targeting stroke-related cardiovascular injuries. He underscored the role of IC 100 in blocking the inflammatory response in the heart post-stroke, providing a potential therapeutic pathway.

IC 100 is a humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit the inflammasome adaptor protein ASC, thereby attenuating the inflammatory response. By binding to ASC, IC 100 prevents the formation of inflammasomes and consequently blocks the activation of IL-1β, a key player in the inflammation process. This dual action not only mitigates immediate inflammatory responses but also has the potential to reduce chronic inflammation associated with various comorbidities. The primary focus for IC 100 is treating obesity and its related metabolic complications.

ZyVersa Therapeutics is at the forefront of developing first-in-class drugs targeting inflammatory and renal diseases. With advanced proprietary technologies, the company is poised to address significant unmet medical needs in these areas. Their Inflammasome ASC Inhibitor IC 100 and phase 2 Cholesterol Efflux Mediator VAR 200 exemplify their commitment to innovative therapeutic solutions, each targeting different yet high-impact disease areas with substantial market potential.