Amidoxime prodrugs targeting sphingosine kinase for
This patent covers a family of prodrug compounds designed to inhibit sphingosine kinase, an enzyme that controls levels of a signaling lipid called sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in the blood. Prodrugs are inactive precursors that convert into the active drug inside the body, which can improve how a drug is absorbed, distributed, or tolerated. By blocking sphingosine kinase (either type 1, type 2, or both), these compounds can modulate S1P levels in ways that may treat a wide range of diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, asthma, allergic and autoimmune conditions, and inflammatory diseases. The patent defines a specific chemical scaffold — an amidoxime group attached to a defined core structure — that distinguishes these prodrugs from earlier-generation inhibitors.
What you could build
A small-molecule drug candidate or licensed compound series for development by a pharmaceutical company targeting oncology, autoimmune, or inflammatory indications; the most immediate buyers would be mid-size biopharma companies or large pharma licensing desks actively building S1P-pathway pipelines.
Who in Virginia should care
Biopharma companies or biotech startups in the Virginia-Maryland-DC corridor, or defense/government health research agencies such as BARDA or NIH-affiliated licensees, could find this relevant for inflammatory or cancer therapeutic pipelines.
Readiness: Lab validated
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Steven Brandon Thorpe, Webster L. Santos, Kevin R. Lynch
- Granted
- November 23, 2021
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 11180489
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.