VJ23

VJ23 is a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of **Ubiquitin-Specific Protease 30 (USP30)**, currently under development by **Vincere Biosciences**. USP30 is a deubiquitinating enzyme localized to the outer mitochondrial membrane that plays a critical role in regulating mitophagy—the selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. By inhibiting USP30, VJ23 promotes the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria, a process that is often impaired in neurodegenerative diseases such as **Parkinson's disease**. Beyond neurodegeneration, USP30 inhibition is also being explored for its potential to induce proteotoxic stress and apoptosis in certain cancer types. While some early academic literature and patents from the same developer associated the VJ23 code with the inhibition of Valosin-containing protein (VCP/p97), more recent company disclosures and pipeline updates identify VJ23 as the lead candidate for their USP30 program, with high selectivity over other deubiquitinating enzymes and ATPases. The compound is currently in the **preclinical** stage of development.