Publications & Patents

Research & Innovation

MetCure's research foundation is built on peer-reviewed scientific discoveries and protected by a robust intellectual property portfolio. Our publications demonstrate the scientific rigor supporting each therapeutic program, while our patents and patent applications protect novel drug candidates and mechanisms of action across multiple indications.

GH501: Skp1-Skp2 Interaction Inhibitors

Patent
Flurbiprofen Analogs and Methods of Use in Treating Cancer

Gera, L.; Chan, D.; Hodges, R.; Bunn, P. U.S Patent US 8,575,170 B2 (2013). Novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting the oncogenic Skp1-Skp2 interaction for cancer therapeutics.
Manuscript
Novel Skp1 Inhibitor Has Potent Preclinical Efficacy Against Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Li X, Mamouni K, Zhao R, Bai L, Chen Y, Wu Y, Xie ZR, Sautto GA, Liu D, Bowen NJ, Danaher A, Li D, Cook N, Grayson S, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Bao Q, Zhou J, Osunkoya AO, Kucuk O, Gera L, Wu D. Br J Cancer, 132:1188, 2025.
Manuscript
Design and Synthesis of Novel Silicon-Containing Small Molecule Peptidomimetics with Nanomolar Anticancer Activities

Gera, L.; Hegyes, P.; Wu, D.; Hodges, R. S. Journal of Peptide Science, doi.org/10.17952/35EPS.2018.160 (2018).
Manuscript
Design and Synthesis of Novel Peptidomimetic Small Molecule Therapeutics with Nanomolar Anticancer Activities

Gera, L.; Tentler, J.; Eckhardt, G.; Wu, D.; Hodges, R. S. Peptides 2014, Proceedings of the 33rd European Peptide Symposium; Bulgarian Peptide Society, Sofia, pp. 252-253 (2015).

EED-EZH2 Inhibitors/Degraders

Patent
Pyridine and Dihydropyridine Compounds and Uses Thereof

Wu D, McDonald FE, Pham S, Xie ZR, Chen R. PCT Patent Application WO 2024/167861 A1 (2024).
Patent
Compositions and Methods for Treating Bone Cancer

Gera L, Stewart JM, Chung LWK, Wu D. U.S Patent Publication no. US2010-0144678 A1 (2010).
Manuscript
Method Development and Validation of Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry for SLP-1A6 in Rat Plasma

Chen Y, Adebusuyi T, Oppong E, Abraham E, Lawrence YM, Ma J, Liang D, Pham SL, McDonald FE, Danaher A, Wu D, Xie H. Journal of Chromatographic Science 2026; 64(3): bmag004.
Manuscript
Nicardipine Is a Putative EED Inhibitor with High Selectivity and Potency Against Chemoresistant Prostate Cancer

Li X, Chen Y, Bai L, Zhao R, Wu Y, Xie ZR, Wu JM, Bowen NJ, Danaher A, Cook N, Li D, Qui M, Du Y, Fu H, Osunkoya AO, Kucuk O, Wu D. Br. J. Cancer, 129, 884–894 (2023).
Manuscript
Allosteric EED Inhibitor Suppresses EZH2 Signaling and Overcomes Chemoresistance in Prostate Cancer

Li X, Gera L, Zhang S, Chen Y, Lou L, Wilson LM, Xie ZR, Sautto G, Liu D, Danaher A, Mamouni K, Yang Y, Du Y, Fu H, Kucuk O, Osunkoya AO, Zhou J, Wu D. Theranostics, 11:6873-6890 (2021).

Ferroptosis Inducers: SLC7A11 Inhibitors

Patent Application
Ferroptosis Inducer Compounds and Methods Thereof

Wu D. U.S. Provisional Patent Application no. 63/875,769 (2025). Novel ferroptosis inducers targeting SLC7A11 for chemotherapy-resistant cancers.
Manuscript
Repurposing Loratadine to Overcome Prostate Cancer Chemoresistance via SLC7A11 Inhibition and Ferroptosis Activation

Li X, Danaher A, Zhu J, Cook N, Bowen NJ, et al, Wu D. Experimental Hematology & Oncology (under review, 2026).
Manuscript
Repurposing Loratadine to Induce Ferroptosis and Overcome Multidrug Resistance

Cook N, Li X, Bowen NJ, Danaher A, et al, Wu D. Frontiers in Oncology (under revision, 2026). Preclinical evidence in KB-V-1 cells.

ProFine®: Nutraceutical for Prostate Cancer

Patent
Flavonoid Compositions for the Treatment of Cancer

Wu D. U.S. Patent Publication no. 2017/0087125 A1 (2017). Proprietary composition targeting HSP90/AR inhibition and ATF3 upregulation in prostate cancer.
Manuscript
A Novel Flavonoid Composition Targets Androgen Receptor Signaling and Inhibits Prostate Cancer Growth in Preclinical Models

Mamouni K, Zhang S, Li X, Chen Y, Yang Y, Kim J, Bartlett MG, Coleman IM, Nelson PS, Kucuk O, Wu D. Neoplasia. 20:789-799 (2018).

Intellectual Property Strategy

Patent Portfolio

Granted US patents and international PCT applications protecting novel chemical scaffolds, mechanisms of action, and therapeutic applications across multiple cancer indications.

Scientific Publications

Peer-reviewed manuscripts demonstrating the scientific validity of our targets, efficacy data supporting preclinical and clinical development, and mechanism of action studies.

Competitive Advantages

Strong IP moats from novel chemical scaffolds, first-in-class mechanisms, and early patent filing providing extended market exclusivity and licensing opportunities.