Sphingosine kinase amidoxime prodrug for cancer and fibrosis
This patent covers a class of prodrug compounds designed to block sphingosine kinase, an enzyme that produces a signaling molecule called sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). The prodrug format means the active ingredient is delivered in a chemically masked form that converts to its active state inside the body, improving how it is absorbed or tolerated. By inhibiting this enzyme, the compounds can reduce S1P levels in tissues, which is relevant to a surprisingly wide range of diseases including cancers, inflammatory conditions, fibrosis, eye diseases, and lung and kidney injuries. The patent covers both the chemical structures and a method of treatment claim across this broad disease landscape.
What you could build
A small-molecule drug candidate targeting sphingosine kinase 1 or 2, formulated as a prodrug for improved bioavailability, aimed at pharma companies or biotech firms developing treatments for fibrosis, cancer, or inflammatory diseases. Licensing or co-development partners would be mid-sized oncology or inflammation-focused pharmaceutical companies.
Who in Virginia should care
Virginia-based biotech startups, contract research organizations, or pharma companies with drug discovery operations near Northern Virginia or the Richmond-Charlottesville corridor would be natural partners or licensees.
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
- February 25, 2025
- Status
- Granted patent
- Patent number
- 12234229
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.