Longevity & AgingNew Therapy Flushes Toxic Plaque Buildup From Arteries for the First Time
A clinical-stage biotech has presented early human data suggesting it may be possible to physically remove a toxic form of oxidized cholesterol — called 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) — from arterial plaque. Presented at the American Heart Association Vascular Discovery Scientific Sessions, the findings from Cyclarity Therapeutics show that their drug UDP-003, a specially engineered cyclodextrin molecule, can bind to 7KC inside plaques, make it water-soluble, and allow the body to excrete it through urine. This is notable because most existing cardiovascular therapies slow plaque progression rather than clear existing damage. While the results are early-stage and do not promise a cure, they represent a meaningful philosophical shift in how heart disease — and aging itself — might be treated.
