VCP979

VCP979 is a novel, selective, small-molecule dual inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK, specifically the p38α subunit) and discoidin domain receptor tyrosine kinase 1 (DDR1). Developed by researchers at Monash University and the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, VCP979 exhibits potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic activities. In preclinical studies, it has demonstrated therapeutic potential in models of cardiovascular and renal diseases, including myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury, heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), renal fibrosis, and temporal lobe epilepsy-associated cardiac fibrosis. Unlike earlier p38 MAPK inhibitors that failed in clinical trials due to hepatotoxicity, VCP979 has shown a favorable safety profile with low toxicity and no abnormal liver function in preclinical testing.