ASC-J9, also known dimethylcurcumin, is an androgen receptor (AR) degradation enhancer, it suppresses AR function via selective interruption between androgen receptors (ARs) and its selective co-activators (ARA55 or ARA70). This drug was successfully passed phase II clinical trial for topical application to treat the facial acne. In addition, ASC-J9 participated in the preclinical experiments to suppress prostatitis by altering the autoimmune response induced by CD4 T cell recruitment. In combination with sorafenib was shown, that ASC-J9 suppressed the hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression via altering the pSTAT3-CCL2/Bcl2 signals.

APR-246 is a methylated form of PRIMA-1, 2-hydroxymethyl-2-methoxymethyl-aza-bicyclo[2.2.2]octan-3-one (PRIMA-1MET). APR-246, is a prodrug that is converted to the Michael acceptor methylene quinuclidinone (MQ) that binds covalently to cysteines in p53, leading to refolding and restoration of wild type p53 function. MQ also targets the cellular redox balance by inhibiting thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) and depleting glutathione. APR-246 can rescue mutant forms of the p53 family members p63 and p73 that share high sequence homology with p53. APR-246 has demonstrated compelling pre-clinical antitumor activity in a wide variety of solid and hematological (blood) tumors, including ovarian cancer, small cell lung cancer, esophageal cancer and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), among others. Furthermore, strong synergy has been seen with both traditional anticancer agents, such as chemotherapy, as well as newer mechanism-based anticancer drugs. A Phase I clinical study has been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety profile and both biological and clinical responses in hematological tumors with mutations in the p53 gene. A Phase Ib clinical study in combination with full dose chemotherapy (carboplatin and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin) has also been completed, demonstrating a favorable safety profile in patients with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). APR-246 is currently in a Phase II clinical trial in patients with HGSOC, and additional Phase Ib clinical studies of APR-246 in other cancer indications are planned.

CE-326597 is a potent and selective agonist of type 1 cholecystokinin receptor, developed by Pfizer Inc for the treatment of obesity. The physical properties of CE-326597 provided the desired low systemic exposure which was driven by poor absorption of the drug into the intestinal wall. Unfortunately, CE-326597 demonstrated insufficient efficacy for the treatment of either diabetes or obesity after 12 weeks of dosing in Phase 2 clinical trial and was discontinued.

Ralinepag is a cyclohexyl amide derivative patented by Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as agonists of the human prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor useful for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Ralinepag shows selectivity in both binding and functional assays with respect to most members of the prostanoid receptor family and a more modest 30-50-fold selectivity over the EP3 receptor. Ralinepag had an excellent PK profile across species. Enterohepatic recirculation most probably contributes to a concentration-time profile after oral administration in the cynomolgus monkey that showed a very low peak-to-trough ratio. Phase III clinical trial is currently ongoing.

PF-3274167 (Cligosiban) is a potent, selective, brain penetrant oxytocin receptor antagonist. Cligosiban interrupts the expulsion phase of ejaculation by reducing the normal bulbospongiosum burst pattern and reducing the expulsions that accompany bursts. Cligosiban represents a promising compound to test the clinical hypothesis that antagonism of central oxytocin receptors may be of therapeutic benefit in the treatment of premature ejaculation. [11C]PF-3274167 is not a suitable tracer for imaging of OTR in rat brain, probably because of a too low affinity for this receptor in addition to a poor brain penetration. PF-3274167 had been in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of sexual function disorders and urinary incontinence. However, this research has been discontinued.

MPC-3100 is a fully synthetic, orally bioavailable, Hsp90 inhibitor developed by Myriad Pharmaceuticals, Inc for cancer treatment. MPC-3100 targets the N-terminal ATP-binding site of Hsp90 and blocks the activity of ATPase. MPC-3100 shows a broad spectrum anti-proliferative activity against various cancer cell lines, such as HCT-116, NCI-N87 and DU-145. MPC-3100 also inhibits tumor growth in the NCI-N87 gastric cancer xenograft mode. Moreover, pharmacokinetics studies show that MPC-3100 displays a superior oral pharmacokinetics profile, good overall exposure and a reasonable hepatic clearance rate. Phase I clinical studies demonstrate MPC-3100 is safe and tolerated when administered at doses below 600 mg per day

Taladegib (LY2940680) is an orally bioavailable small molecule antagonist of the Hedgehog (Hh)-ligand cell surface receptor smoothened (Smo) with potential antineoplastic activity. Taladegib inhibits signaling that is mediated by the Hh pathway protein Smo, which may result in a suppression of the Hh signaling pathway and may lead to the inhibition of the proliferation of tumor cells in which this pathway is abnormally activated. The Hh signaling pathway plays an important role in cellular growth, differentiation and repair; constitutive activation of this pathway is associated with uncontrolled cellular proliferation and has been observed in a variety of cancers. Taladegib has excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rodent and non-rodent species. Taladegib administrated orally treats Ptch+/- p53-/- transgenic mice which spontaneously develop medulloblastoma, produces remarkable efficacy and significantly improves their survival. Taladegib reveals rapid kinetics of anti-tumor activity through magnetic resonance imaging of these mice, and Taladegib induces Caspase-3 activity and reduces proliferation by immunohistochemistry analysis of medulloblastoma tumors. Taladegib inhibits Hh regulated gene expression in the subcutaneous xenograft tumor stroma and produces significant anti-tumor activity. Taladegib is currently in phase I clinical trials for ovarian cancer and solid tumours and in phase I/II for esophageal cancer. Ignyta exclusively licensed Taladegib from Eli Lilly and Company in November 2015.

LY2874455 is a pan-FGFR inhibitor that binds to the ATP-binding pocket of FGFR4 in a unique, chair-like conformation through a multitude of interactions. LY2874455 exhibits a potential clinical use for treating various forms of human malignancies.

LY2584702 is a potent, highly selective adenosine triphosphate (ATP) competitive inhibitor against p70 S6 kinase, a downstream component of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase signalling pathway which regulates cell proliferation and survival. LY2584702 underwent clinical trials against solid tumors both as a monotherapy and in combination with erlotinib or everolimus. No responses were observed for treatment as a single agent. LY2584702 was not well tolerated when administered with erlotinib, therefore this combination is not feasible. The combination with everolimus was better tolerated but yielded very limited clinical benefit.