FGF-401 is an inhibitor of human fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, FGF401 binds to and inhibits the activity of FGFR4, which leads to an inhibition of tumor cell proliferation in FGFR4-overexpressing cells. FGFR4 is a receptor tyrosine kinase upregulated in certain tumor cells and involved in tumor cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and survival. FGF-401 is an FGFR4 inhibitor in phase I/II clinical studies at Novartis for the treatment of positive FGFR4 and KLB expression solid tumors and hepatocellular carcinoma.

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid is an amino acid derivative acting as a specific agonist at the NMDA receptor, and therefore mimics the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate on that receptor. Unlike glutamate, NMDA only binds to and regulates the NMDA receptor and has no effect on other glutamate receptors (such as those for AMPA and kainate). NMDA receptors are particularly important when they become overactive during withdrawal from alcohol as this causes symptoms such as agitation and, sometimes, epileptiform seizures. NMDA is a water-soluble synthetic substance that is not normally found in biological tissue.

COTI-2 is an orally available small molecule targeting p53, a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in over 50% of all cancers. The drug was developed by Clinical Outcome Technologies Inc (now Cotinga Pharmaceuticals) and is believed to act by reactivating mutant p53 and inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. The drug is being evaluated in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of gynecologic cancers and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Altiratinib, a novel c-MET/TIE-2/VEGFR inhibitor, was able to effectively reduce tumor burden in vivo and block c-MET signaling, cell growth and migration. Altiratinib inhibits not only mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression, but also drug resistance mechanisms in the tumor and microenvironment. Altiratinib durably inhibits MET, both wild-type and mutated forms, in vitro and in vivo. Altiratinib exhibits properties amenable to oral administration and exhibits substantial blood-brain barrier penetration, an attribute of significance for eventual treatment of brain cancers and brain metastases. It is currently in Phase 1 clinical development for the treatment of solid tumors.

DL-Kynurenine is a racemic mixture of D-kynurenine and L-kynurenine. Kynurenine is the precursor of kynurenic acid, an endogenous antagonist of the glycine site of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Kynurenine has been identified as an endogenous ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a receptor known to be activated by various environmental toxicants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).

PF-477736 is a selective, potent and ATP-competitive Chk1 inhibitor. Compound was tested in combination with gembcitabine in phase I clinical trials in patients with advanced solid tumors.