Disclosed are screening processes for identification of compounds that may inhibit complex formation between C-reactive protein and fibronectin. Compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to inhibit the target analytes that are known to occur during skin aging as well as during the course of several diseases. Accordingly, inhibitory compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to prevent and treat damaged tissue, inflammatory conditions, cardiovascular conditions, renal conditions, periodontal conditions and obesity, among other conditions. For example, the compounds identified by the disclosed methods may be utilized to treat tissue that has suffered trauma, e.g., burns or wounds, as well as tissue that is inflamed due to any of several causes. The disclosed compounds may also be utilized to improve the accuracy of assays designed to assess CRP or Fn levels in a sample, for instance in a plasma sample, as a risk assessment tool in certain medical conditions and to discover new treatments.