ZL0969

ZL0969 is a highly selective small molecule inhibitor of Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4), an epigenetic reader that plays a critical role in transcriptional reprogramming and the expression of pro-fibrotic genes. Developed through a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Texas Medical Branch, ZL0969 is being investigated for its potential to treat fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (fILD). In preclinical studies using human precision cut lung slices (PCLS), ZL0969 has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce the induction of extracellular matrix (ECM) components, such as fibronectin, collagen 1a1, and hyaluronan, in response to TGF-β1. By disrupting BRD4 activity, the compound aims to halt the excessive deposition of ECM that characterizes deadly fibrotic lung disorders.