Michael B. Sporn (February 15, 1933 – September 9, 2022)[10] was an American cancer researcher and professor of pharmacology, toxicology and medicine at Dartmouth Medical School.
[23] In 1995, he accepted a professorship at Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth College, where his research focused on the design and development of synthetic triterpenoid drugs with applications for cancer and other chronic illnesses.
[13][24] The Sporn Laboratory at Dartmouth synthesized a class of molecules called synthetic oleanane terpenoids, which have applications in both the prevention and treatment of cancer.
[25][26] He also developed a type of ligand known as rexinoids with potential application for gene control related to inflammation, proliferation, and differentiation of cancerous cells.
[31] Sporn's research also contributed to the development of omaveloxolone, the first synthetic oleanane triterpenoid approved by Food and Drug Administration.