Resatorvid (TAK-242) is a Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) antagonist that was designed for the treatment of severe sepsis because of its inhibitory effect on suppressing cytokine levels. This compound suppresses production of inflammatory mediators by inhibiting signal transduction through TLR4. It has also been shown that topical resatorvid, in a UV-induced skin tumorigenesis model, displays photochemopreventive activity, suppressing tumor area and multiplicity. Resatorvid has furthermore shown neuroprotective effects after traumatic brain injury (in a mouse model). Phase III studies evaluating the effects of resatorvid on sepsis have been completed. One such study was ended after it was determined that there was insufficient cytokine suppression in the first stage of the study.