Technology

VAS101, a Novel Curcumin Transdermal Formulation, Reverses Some Clinical Hallmarks of Aging

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2025

SUMMIT, N.J., March 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a new study published in the journal GeroScience, VAS101 (Vasceptor®), a novel curcumin transdermal formulation developed by Vascarta Inc. (Summit, NJ, USA), when administered topically twice weekly i) restored physical and cognitive function in aged mice as well as improving markers of frailty; ii) reduced age associated inflammation (inflammaging) markers in multiple organs; iii) initiated tissue remodeling in aging hearts; and iv) lowered interleukin 11 (IL-11) expression in the kidney. The inhibition of IL-11 via a biologic was recently shown to increase the life span of mice [see Widjaja, A.A., et al, Inhibition of IL-11 signaling extends mammalian healthspan and lifespan. Nature, 632(8023), pp.157-165]. The present study also demonstrated that topically applied VAS101 can accelerate restoration of vascular health as reflected in normalizing blood pressure in an endothelial dysfunction model.

Vascular health is generally regarded as key to general health with endothelial dysfunction responsible for many age-related system failures. VAS101 provides a unique mechanism for delivery of curcumin to the endothelial lining of those blood vessels that are essential for vascular health. VAS101 was shown in prior studies to effectively load red blood cells with curcumin (Curc-RBCs), improving both their ex vivo stability and extending circulation time in a surrogate animal model. Curc-RBCs were also shown to cross the blood brain barrier and deactivate activated mast cells and microglia and, in turn, limit chronic pain and neuro-inflammation. Curc-RBCs are not targeted by immune cells nor, like many intravenously- administered drugs and nanoparticle delivery vehicles, subjected to hepatic first-pass effect, thus allowing for full and sustained systemic delivery of the active ingredient.

Unlike oral curcumin, which is poorly absorbed, rapidly cleared and otherwise entangled with albumin and other circulating proteins, VAS101, through its subsequent enrichment of Curc-RBCs, uniquely reaches the endothelial layer of smaller and narrower blood vessels that are most critical for organ and tissue health and function.

The many positive effects of VAS101 are at least in part attributable to the known nitric oxide (NO) enhancing capability of curcumin. Curcumin delivery to small diameter blood vessels is an optimal strategy for improving vascular function by enhancing local levels of NO in the endothelium.

Joel Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., professor of microbiology & immunology and of medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Vascarta Scientific Founder and Head, Scientific Advisory Board, stated, “Realizing curcumin’s well-documented effects on general health have been limited by the ability to achieve sustained, therapeutic concentrations in target tissues. What has been needed is a safe, cost-effective, and easy to use formulation that can be deployed over an extended period of time that targets the appropriate tissues. Transdermal VAS101 (Vasceptor®) may fill this gap and provide a novel way to restore some key elements of vascular health and slow and possibly reverse the aging process.” [Dr. Friedman is a co-author on the GeroScience paper and the inventor of VAS-101 which is exclusively licensed to Vascarta from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, New York, USA)].

Senior author Derek Huffman, Ph.D., professor of molecular pharmacology and of medicine and Co-Director of the Nathan Shock Center at Einstein, remarked, “We observed that a short intervention with transdermal VAS101 resulted in a number of favorable effects on health in mice. This included improved aspects of health span such as exercise capacity and reduced frailty. Based upon these data, VAS101 may have potential to be a safe and effective therapeutic to treat aging.”

Dr. Richard Prince, Vascarta Chairman, CEO and President, said, “As part of our commitment to making the health benefits of curcumin widely available, we are initiating human studies and will seek FDA approval of transdermal Vasceptor® in a range of conditions characterized by pain and inflammation.”

About Vascarta

Vascarta is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company exploring efficient transdermal delivery of pharmaceuticals to address several conditions with an initial focus on sickle cell disease and osteoarthritis. For those interested in learning more about Vascarta’s clinical programs, contact Chairman, CEO & President Dr. Richard Prince at rprince@vascarta.com. Media requests should be directed to David Hymson at dhymson@vascarta.com.

Publication Authors & Affiliations

Kai Mao1,2,4, Ruixuan Wang1,4, Kateryna Karpoff1,4, Daniel Kerr5, Probal Banerjee6, Joel M. Friedman2,3,7 and Derek M. Huffman1,2,4,†

Departments of 1Molecular Pharmacology, 2Medicine, 3Microbiology & Immunology, and the 4Institute for Aging Research, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
5The Center for Developmental Neuroscience and 6Department of Chemistry, CUNY College of Staten Island, NY 10314, USA

7Vascarta Inc, Summit, NJ, 07901, USA

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SOURCE Vascarta Inc

Technology

Asian Hall of Fame Heritage Gala Highlights Impactful Legacy

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

Benefit supported Women In Tech, Entertainment, Science & Sports Scholars

LOS ANGELES, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global ambassador Asian Hall of Fame highlighted positive messages of interracial synergy with its Heritage Gala on May 1, 2026 at the iconic Biltmore Los Angeles. CBS LA Anchor Suzie Suh served as Master of Ceremonies of the festive Asian Heritage Month celebration brought to life by vibrant heritage costumes representing Asia, Latin America, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The intergenerational benefit funded Women In Tech, Entertainment, Science & Sports (WinTESS) scholarships for 103 applicants from all racial backgrounds.

Guests from California, Washington, Oregon, Hawaii, and New York applauded the Class of 2026 Official Announcement, including Asian Hall of Fame’s first-ever Major League Baseball Inductee Hideo Nomo, nominated by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and DTLA muralist Robert Vargas as Goodwill Ambassador.

Dedicated San Marino philanthropist and Board of Governors Chairwoman Melinda Rogers was honored as the 2026 Woman of the Year, with a moving speech presented by her younger brother William Rogers. Chairwoman Rogers highlighted the endearing impact of family, and delighted audiences with her custom Korean hanbok, designed alongside Anna Kim at her Koreatown boutique.

Distinguished philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis (Inductee 2007) shared an inspiring fireside chat with stories of family legacy and community empowerment. Guests received commemorative autographed memoirs, and complimentary gifts from Nan Yang Delight and SUP. Inductees in attendance were Marc Anthony Nicolas, Kristen Lui, incoming Inductees Kitty Lo and Maggie Tseng, Official Design Partner of the 2026 Season.

The dramatic Heritage Costume Show, sponsored by Meridien Vacation Homes, presented pageant holders including a Rose Pageant Princess, Miss Asia USA, Miss Teen Latina Global, Hi-Teen USA, Miss International U.S. Virgin Islands, Miss Taiwanese American, and Mrs. Asia Glamour.

Maki Mae performed from her upcoming album release with pianist Jason Lo and cellist Ryan Phipps. Walter Nishinaka and Los Angeles Taiko Collective kicked off raffle drawings, including an 18-carat gold ring donated by long-standing supporter Vartan Kazanjian, owner of Estate Jewelers of South Pasadena.

ABOUT ASIAN HALL OF FAME
Established in 2004, Asian Hall of Fame strengthens interracial synergy by advancing mainstream recognition of Asian and Native legacy. Inductees include Connie Chung, Kristi Yamaguchi, Margaret Cho, amongst others. Contact: press@asianhalloffame.org, (626) 600-9418, www.asianhalloffame.org.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/asian-hall-of-fame-heritage-gala-highlights-impactful-legacy-302771594.html

SOURCE Asian Hall of Fame

Technology

Notice of Data Privacy Incident

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

MOUNT STERLING, Ill., May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Brown County

Brown County, Illinois provides notice of a data privacy incident involving personal information of certain county constituents and staff.

What Happened? On April 3, 2025, we received alerts of unusual activity in one of our email accounts. We launched an immediate investigation, and retained independent cyber incident response specialists to assist. The investigation determined that two email accounts experienced unauthorized access. We have no evidence of fraud or identity theft from this incident.

What Information Was Involved. The information involved varied by individual, and may have included a first and last name along with a Social Security number, driver’s license number, government issued identification number, medical information, or health insurance information.

What We Are Doing. In addition to the above, we are offering complimentary credit monitoring and identity protection services to individuals whose Social Security numbers were believed to be involved.

What You Can Do. Generally, it is best practice to remain vigilant for incidents of identity theft and fraud from any source by reviewing your account statements and credit reports for suspicious activity and errors. If you discover any suspicious or unusual activity, promptly contact your financial institution or service provider.

Individuals are entitled to one free credit report annually from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus, TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax. To order a free credit report, visit www.annualcreditreport.com or call 1-877-322-8228.

Individuals may further learn about identity theft, fraud alerts, credit freezes, and the steps to take to protect personal information by contacting the credit reporting bureaus, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), or state Attorneys General. The FTC encourages those who discover that their information has been misused to file a complaint with them. It may be reached at 600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580; www.identitytheft.gov; 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338); and TTY: 1-866-653-4261.

For More Information, you may contact us at 1-800-405-6108, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST for further assistance.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/notice-of-data-privacy-incident-302771596.html

SOURCE Kennedys CMK LLP

Technology

SharkNinja Set to Join S&P MidCap 400; Flowers Foods and F&G Annuities & Life to Join S&P SmallCap 600

Published

6 hours ago

May 13, 2026

NEW YORK, May 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — S&P Dow Jones Indices will make the following changes to the S&P MidCap 400, S&P SmallCap 600:

SharkNinja (NYSE: SN) will replace Flowers Foods Inc. (NYSE: FLO) in the S&P MidCap 400, and Flowers Foods will replace CSG Systems Intl Inc. (NASD: CSGS) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Monday, May 18. NEC Corporation (TSE: 6701) is acquiring CSG Systems Intl in a deal expected to close soon, pending final closing conditions.F&G Annuities & Life Inc. (NYSE: FG) will replace Mister Car Wash Inc. (NASD: MCW) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Tuesday, May 19. Leonard Green & Partners L.P. is acquiring Mister Car Wash in a deal expected to close soon, pending final closing conditions.

Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:

Effective Date

Index Name

Action

Company Name

Ticker

GICS Sector

May 18, 2026

S&P MidCap 400

Addition

SharkNinja

Consumer Discretionary

May 18, 2026

S&P MidCap 400

Deletion

Flowers Foods

FLO

Consumer Staples

May 18, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Addition

Flowers Foods

FLO

Consumer Staples

May 18, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Deletion

CSG Systems Intl

CSGS

Industrials

May 19, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Addition

F&G Annuities & Life

Financials

May 19, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Deletion

Mister Car Wash

MCW

Consumer Discretionary

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

S&P Dow Jones Indices
index_services@spglobal.com

Media Inquiries
spdji.comms@spglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sharkninja-set-to-join-sp-midcap-400-flowers-foods-and-fg-annuities–life-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302771602.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices