ZMC002

ZMC002 is a small molecule inhibitor developed by Zymedi that targets the secreted form of lysyl-tRNA synthetase (KARS1) for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). While KARS1 is primarily an intracellular enzyme involved in protein translation, it can be translocated to the cell surface or secreted by macrophages and monocytes in response to inflammatory stimuli. Once extracellular, KARS1 acts as a cytokine-like mediator that promotes macrophage recruitment and triggers inflammatory signaling pathways. ZMC002 is designed to selectively inhibit this extracellular activity, thereby reducing hepatic steatosis and lobular inflammation. The compound is currently in clinical development for MASH and other macrophage-driven inflammatory pathologies.