bpV(phen), a insulin-mimetic agent, is a potent protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and PTEN inhibitor with IC50s of 38 nM, 343 nM and 920 nM for PTEN, PTP-β and PTP-1B, respectively. bpV(phen) inhibits proliferation of the protozoan parasite Leishmania in vitro. bpV(phen) strongly induces the secretion of a large number of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines, and it activates a Th1-type pathway (IL-12, IFNγ). bpV(phen) can also induce cell apoptosis, and has anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity.