The first generation glycomimetics (C1–C4, Fig. 2a), were originally designed as inhibitors of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF)-induced hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-Met) activation, affecting tumour cell growth and angiogenesis.13 It should be noted that the findings of the present work indicate that the original discovery experiments13 were likely performed with ambiguous mixtures of these glycomimetics. This evidence concerns the gene HGF and neoplasm.