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prezatide copper acetate (GHK:Cu / vulnerary, ProCyte / Iamin Hydrating Gel)

✓ Approved

ProCyte · Small Molecule · Small Molecule

What is prezatide copper acetate?

prezatide copper acetate is a small molecule developed by ProCyte. It is approved for therapeutic indications via topical.

Drug Profile

Brand NamesGHK:Cu, vulnerary, ProCyte, Iamin Hydrating Gel
CompanyProCyte
Drug ClassSmall Molecule
RouteTopical
StatusApproved
Sources: ClinicalTrials.gov, ProCyte

Therapeutic Indications

prezatide copper acetate is developed for 4 unique indications across 3 therapeutic areas.

Therapeutic AreaConditionPhase
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDecubitus ulcer✓ Approved
General disorders and administration site conditionsImpaired healing✓ Approved
Injury, poisoning and procedural complicationsThermal burn✓ Approved
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disordersDiabetic foot✓ Approved

Related Research Articles

PubMedJPGN reports2026-07-25

The utility of whole exome sequencing in diagnosing Wilson disease: A case report.

Palan Mihir J MJ, Simpson Dana D, Miranda Cheryl C, Hakar Melanie M et al.

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of copper metabolism caused by mutations in the ATP7B gene, resulting in toxic copper accumulation in the body. Diagnosis is typically based on biochemistries, including low serum ceruloplasmin and elevated 24-h urine copper excretion, with Kayser-Fleischer (KF) rings being a supportive feature. We describe a 7-year-old girl who presented with isolated elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), low serum ceruloplasmin, and presence of nonspecific autoantibodies. Liver biopsy revealed elevated hepatic copper content (241 μg/g dry weight), mild macrovesicular steatosis, negative copper staining and no KF rings. Targeted genetic testing identified a single pathogenic ATP7B variant, and whole exome sequencing (WES) later revealed a second variant of uncertain significance (VUS). Repeat liver biopsy showed hepatic copper content of 258 mcg/g, meeting diagnostic criteria. The patient was started on trientine, and ALT normalized within 3 months, with increased urinary copper excretion. This case underscores how WD can mimic autoimmune hepatitis and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and how diagnosis may rely on integrating histologic findings, genetic data, and therapeutic response.

PMID 42499731
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PubMedBiometals : an international journal on the role of metal ions in biology, biochemistry, and medicine2026-07-25

Effects of copper overload on mitochondrial parameters in GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 glioma cell lines.

Tassinari Giovanna G, de Souza Lorena Aparecida LA, Aguiar de Souza Nikole N, Radowitz Mendonça Yasmin Y et al.

Over the years, there has been growing interest in developing new therapies for glioblastoma, and copper compounds have emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their antitumoral properties. In this context, this study aimed to investigate the effects of high copper levels on cell viability, mitochondrial physiology, PINK1 content, and the expression of PGC-1α and TFAM in distinct glioma cell lines, mainly considering the heterogeneity of tumoral cells. GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 cells CuSO4 exposure (0-1200 µM) was performed for 24 h, and cell viability was assessed using the MTT reduction and Neutral Red (NR) assays. NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, cytochrome c oxidase activities, and the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) were measured to analyze mitochondrial physiology. PINK1 was evaluated by immunofluorescence, while PGC-1α and TFAM expression were assessed by real-time RT-PCR in U-87 MG and C6 cells. Copper exposure reduced cell viability in the cell lines (MTT and NR), except in U-87 MG with the NR assay. High copper levels decreased succinate dehydrogenase activity in GBM-1, U-87 MG, and C6 cells. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was decreased in the C6 cell line. Moreover, reductions in ΔΨm and increases in PINK1 immunostaining were observed across the three cell lines. Finally, an increase in PGC-1α mRNA was observed in C6 cells, and TFAM expression has risen in U-87 MG. In conclusion, high copper levels decrease glioma cell viability in vitro, and mitochondrial dysfunction contributes to this effect, resulting in PINK1 and TFAM or PGC-1α increase as compensatory mechanisms to copper cytotoxicity.

PMID 42498833
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PubMedRSC chemical biology2026-07-25

Ant abaecin-2 is a context-dependent copper-binding effector that can be either inhibitory or protective.

Donaghy Caroline M CM, Heyer-Gray Helena V HV, O'Hern Charlotte C, Ibrahim Michael M et al.

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are important components of the innate immune system that are used to combat pathogens and often rely on binding trace nutrient metals for their function. However, controlling nutrient metals may have other roles in host-symbiont interactions beyond poisoning harmful pathogens. This study characterizes the evolution, structural properties, and biochemical activity of the novel hymenopteran HDP abaecin-2. In myrmicine ants such as the fungus-growing tribe Attini, abaecin-2 has evolved to include an Amino-Terminal Cu(ii) and Ni(ii)-binding (ATCUN) motif, which we hypothesize binds copper, a trace nutrient that is enriched in attine ant colonies. Combined results from mass spectrometry, competitive binding assays, circular dichroism, and NMR indicate that the abaecin-2 peptide lacks a defined secondary structure and can associate with up to 2 Cu(ii) ions, one strongly bound at the ATCUN motif and another weakly bound, likely at a conserved histidine residue. Despite its copper-binding activity, abaecin-2 alone does not exhibit antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis (models for bacteria that live in ant fungus gardens). However, it synergizes with a model pore-forming peptide cecropin A to inhibit the growth of E. coli, similar to the related peptide abaecin-1. The copper-binding activity conferred by the ATCUN motif also protects copper-sensitive E. coli from excess copper toxicity. The dual context-dependent inhibitory and protective roles for abaecin-2 indicate that this previously under-characterized HDP may be used by attine ants to regulate both harmful and beneficial symbionts.

PMID 42500807
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PubMedJPGN reports2026-07-25

Itching for a diagnosis: Dysesthesias as an atypical presentation of Wilson disease in an adolescent-Case report.

Mosher Tierra L R TLR, Hicks John J, Mysore Krupa R KR

Wilson disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive disorder of hepatic copper metabolism with varied clinical presentations. We describe a 15-year-old male referred for elevated aminotransferases, burning facial pruritis, scalp dysesthesias, and chronic bilateral lower extremity edema. Initial workup showed low-normal ceruloplasmin, hypergammaglobulinemia, positive antinuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-smooth muscle antibody, and liver biopsy compatible with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) (simplified AIH score = 6). Lack of response to prednisone therapy for probable AIH prompted further testing. Moreover, 24-h urine copper was 1285 µg (normal 15-60 µg/24 h), ceruloplasmin was 9 mg/dL (initially 18 mg/dL), Kayser-Fleischer rings were appreciated, and elevated liver copper quantification. ATP7B gene testing revealed two heterozygous pathogenic variations in two different genes. Initiation of copper chelation therapy led to the resolution of symptoms and normalization of aminotransferases in 8 weeks. This case underscores the need for timely WD evaluation in patients with atypical presentations.

PMID 42499713
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PubMedJournal of sustainable metallurgy2026-07-25

Image-Segmentation-Guided Fragmentized Steel Scrap Tramp Material Characterization.

Quan Yijun Y, Singhal Sanjay S, Li Zushu Z, Montana Giovanni G

As the British steel industry transitions to a scrap-based electric arc furnace route for steelmaking, steel scrap quality is becoming increasingly important. The chemical composition of fragmentized scrap, particularly the weight percentage of elements such as copper, strongly governs its suitability for high-quality steelmaking. However, existing chemical characterization techniques are too expensive and operationally impractical to deploy across the entire scrap stream, leaving composition estimates vulnerable to fluctuations in tramp element distributions introduced by unwanted residuals. To enable fast, cost-effective assessment, this work uses copper as an exemplar and investigates image-based classification for tramp element composition estimation for fragmentized scrap. Using commercial-grade scrap, an image dataset was manually curated to capture diverse mixtures of steel and copper fragments, with corresponding weight measurements and segmentation annotations collected for each sample image. A neural network was then trained using image segmentation, with the predicted segmentation maps provided as input to a classifier, achieving 86.67 % accuracy in assigning images to the correct copper composition class and demonstrating the feasibility of computer vision methods for tramp element composition analysis in scrap quality monitoring.

PMID 42499476
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PubMedPreparative biochemistry & biotechnology2026-07-25

Ultrasound-assisted extraction and purification of B. harveyi for the development of bioactive wound healing gel: In vitro evaluation.

Kasi Murugan Bavani B, Sahadevan Renganathan R, R V Hemavathy H, Subramanian Sangeetha S

Marine macroalgal biomass is abundant and contains multifunctional bioactive components. Bostrychia harveyi, one of the underutilized seaweeds, was collected and extracted by the ultrasonication process. UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were carried out to confirm functional groups and structural features. A novel wound healing gel was prepared using carrageenan incorporated with a flavonoid-rich extract from B. harveyi. The bioactivity of the extract and gel was assessed with standard in vitro assays. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging (DPPH) of the gel and ascorbic acid (standard) showed inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 67.05 µg/mL and 50.48 µg/mL. The phosphomolybdenum reduction activity of gel and ascorbic acid showed inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 61.71 and 48.51 µg/mL. The bovine serum albumin denaturation by the gel and diclofenac sodium exhibited a maximum inhibition of 83.47% and 93.6% at 100 µg/mL, confirming a significant anti-inflammatory property. The antibacterial activity was confirmed using an agar well diffusion assay, indicating maximum inhibition of E. coli compared to S. aureus. The scratch wound assay using the L929 fibroblast showed 98.25% scratch closure after 48 hours, highlighting the preliminary effectiveness of the gel through its natural bioactive compounds and serving as a sustainable alternative in wound healing.

PMID 42498929
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