Category:

Novel Therapeutic

Description:

The protein kinase called Pim-1 is overexpressed in human patients with prostate cancer, as well as with other types of cancer. Its expression levels appear to predict the response to cancer therapy. Targeting Pim kinase with small molecule inhibitors has gained recent interest since it may play a critical role in cancer therapy.

Drs. Kraft and Smith at the Medical University of South Carolina have conducted high-throughput screening of a library of compounds and identified a novel pharmacophore that has Pim-1 inhibitory properties. Current efforts are focused on medicinal chemistry to optimize the structure, as well as further testing in in vitro and in vivo cancer models.

Advantages: Other groups have described Pim-1 inhibitors of a different structure but the compounds identified by Drs. Kraft and Smith are more potent.   

Potential Applications:

 Cancer therapeutic

Inventor(s):

Drs. A. Kraft and C. Smith

Patent Status:

Provisional Patent Application filed.

Availability:

Available for:
exclusive
non-exclusive
licensing.

Technology Status:

Licensing Contact:

Yashmin Karten, Ph.D.
MUSC Foundation for Research Development
PO Box 250828
Charleston, SC 29425
843.876.1902
karteny@musc.edu