AstraZeneca developed disufenton (NXY-059), a free radical trapping agent, for the treatment of ischaemic stroke and other brain injuries. Nevertheless, large clinical trial (3306 versus 1722 patients) was neutral, providing no evidence for the efficacy of disufenton sodium in patients with stroke. One study using rat cortical brain slices concluded that NXY-059 improved neuronal survival. However, another study in mouse neuroblastoma cells reported no effect. Another study reported that NXY-059 restored endothelial blood-brain. Histological analyses revealed several therapeutic advantages associated with disufenton sodium treatment following acute acoustic trauma, including reductions in inner and outer hair cell loss; reductions in acute acoustic trauma-induced loss of calretinin-positive afferent nerve fibers in the spiral lamina; and reductions in fibrocyte loss within the spiral ligament. However, AstraZeneca terminated the development program.

Ormaplatin (NSC 363812, tetraplatin) is a stable platinum (IV) analog. Ormaplatin alkylates DNA, forming both inter- and intra-strand platinum-DNA crosslinks, which result in inhibition of DNA replication and transcription and cell-cycle nonspecific cytotoxicity. Ormaplatin showed marked antitumor activity both in vitro and vivo. The severe, cumulative and irreversible peripheral neurotoxicity observed in phase I studies resulted in termination of further clinical development of ormaplatin.

Rivenprost (ONO-4819) is a potent and selective EP4 receptor agonist. This compound can increase bone formation by stimulating osteoblast differentiation and function, possibly by modulating mesenchymal cell differentiation. Rivenprost has also been studied for its potential to prevent bone loss (in osteoporosis) and stabilize bone implants. Combined with risedronate, rivenprost may be an effective treatment for osteoporosis. A phase II study evaluating rivenprost in ulcerative colitis was terminated in 2009.

Fenmetramide is an antidepressant drug.

Norlevorphanol is the levo-isomer of 3-hydroxymorphinan (morphinan-3-ol). It is is an opioid analgesic of the morphinan family. Norlevorphanol is a Schedule I controlled substance (opiate).

Cromakalim is an ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel opener, which was studied for the treatment of gastric ulcer, hypertension and preventing a cardiomyopathy. But the development of this drug was discontinued due to heart lesions found in monkey chronic toxicity studies.

Sanguinarine is an extract of the bloodroot plant Sanguinaria canadensis, a member of the poppy family. It is an inhibitor of protein phosphatases PP1, PP2C and PP2B in vitro. Also inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and other enzymes. Sanguinarine exerts a protective effect in cerebral ischemia, and this effect is associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. It was clinically tested as an agent against gingivitis and tooth plaques.