Small molecule cancer therapeutics for hypoxia-inducible factor pathways

This technology identifies a set of small-molecule compounds that can restore tumor-suppressor function by inhibiting the ID2–CRL^VHL interaction and selectively target cancer cells with elevated ID2.

Unmet Need: Targeted suppression of hypoxia-inducible pathways

Many tumors rely on hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) signaling to survive in hypoxic (low oxygen) microenvironments, promoting abnormal cell growth and metastasis. Effective suppression of HIF signaling remains challenging because the HIF regulatory network is highly complex and redundant, limiting the development of targeted therapeutics. Current HIF-targeting therapies also lack sufficient selectivity, increasing the risk of effects on healthy tissues.

The Technology: Small molecule inhibitors of ID2 for regulation of HIF-alpha pathway in tumors

This technology is a set of small molecules inhibitors that disrupt binding between ID2 and the CRL^VHL complex, restoring CRL^VHL-mediated regulation of HIF‑alpha signaling in tumors. By reducing HIF-alpha activity, these compounds may suppress cancer cell survival in hypoxic environments while selectively targeting tumors with high ID2 expression. These compounds were identified through a cell-free screening assay and may enable development of targeted anticancer therapeutics.

Applications:

• Cancer treatment
• Osteoarthritis therapeutics
• Drug development for HIF-alpha-related disorders
• Research tool for studying the HIF pathway

Advantages:

• Cell-free assay for small molecule identification
• Selective HIF-alpha binding to cancerous tissues
• Restores tumor suppressor function
• Higher targeting specificity over current HIF therapeutics

Lead Inventor:

Anna Lasorella, M.D.

Patent Information:

Patent Pending(WO/2026/107383)

Related Publications:

Tech Ventures Reference:

• Licensing Contact: Kristin Neuman