SMURF-Therapeutics, Inc. is developing small molecule therapeutics to activate or block Smurf2 for cancer, anemia and wound healing. The company was founded by Wafik El-Deiry, MD, PhD, FACP in 2021 to develop small molecule compounds targeting hypoxia responses based on numerous academic research papers and reviews published over 3 decades. Mechanisms involve activation of specific key cellular factors that inhibit HIF proteins in cancer therapy or which activate HIFs to treat anemia and wound healing. The technology of small molecules is based on the discovery in the El-Deiry Lab at Brown University of Smurf2, a cellular protein, binds and degrades HIF1alpha (and HIF2alpha) in cancer cells treated with CDK4/6 inhibitors. Drugs that boost Smurf2 levels in cancer cells and its binding to HIF proteins have anti-cancer efficacy since HIF promotes tumor blood vessel formation, cancer cell invasion and metastases, and its inhibition is associated with reduced tumor growth and metastasis. HIF proteins induce VEGF and erythropoietin to promote wound healing and red blood cell production. With the discovery of Smurf2 as a regulator of HIF proteins, SMURF-Therapeutics is using small molecules to increase Smurf2 as a cancer therapeutic strategy and to lower Smurf2 (or block its activity), in patients without cancer, as a strategy to promote wound healing or treat anemia of chronic disease. The company is in negotiations in 2022 to license relevant university patents including an issued patent for a microRNA discovered in the El-Deiry Lab at Fox Chase Cancer Center that inhibits CDK4, an issued patent at Fox Chase Cancer Center for a therapeutic strategy combining CDK4/6 inhibitors with HSP90 inhibitors to reduce HIF expression in cancer therapy and a patent at Brown University for Smurf2 as a therapeutic target. SMURF-Therapeutics is targeting elimination of HIF proteins as major drivers of cancer angiogenesis, invasion, and metastases, and blocking Smurf2 to increase HIF activity in patients without cancer to promote red blood cell production and wound healing. The company is leveraging world-class research facilities for collaboration at Brown University. SMURF-Therapeutics is pursuing funding through non-dilutive grants, partnerships and capital investments to optimize lead candidates for IND-enabling studies and clinical trials for its lead indications.