Abstract: Disclosed are novel rigidified compounds having a rhodanine-like residue and at least one aryl or heteroaryl residue linked to the rhodanine-like residue, whereby a core structure of these compounds, as defined in the specification, is characterized as having one or zero free-to-rotate bonds. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing these rigidified compounds and uses thereof for modulating the activity of heparanase and hence in the treatment of heparanase-associated diseases and disorders, and uses thereof for modulating the activity of heparin-binding proteins and hence in the treatment of heparin-binding proteins-associated diseases and disorders as well as in the treatment of medical conditions that are at least partially treatable by rhodanine or a rhodanine analog.

Abstract: Methods of identifying proteases participating in heparanase activation, methods and pharmaceutical compositions useful in modulating heparanase activation and methods of modulating biological processes depending, at least in part, on heparanase activity are disclosed.