DB05448 (PX-12, 1-methyl propyl 2-imidazolyl disulfide) is a small molecule irreversible inhibitor of the redox protein thioredoxin, which has been associated with cancer and tumor growth. DB05448 stimulates apoptosis, down-regulates HIF-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and inhibits tumor growth in animal models. Since high levels of Trx-1 have been associated with colorectal, gastric and lung cancers, DB05448 is indicated as a potential cancer treatment in combination with chemotherapy for patients with advanced metastatic cancer. Initial trials correlated doses of DB05448 with increased patient survival.

Trithiozine is an alkoxythiobenzamide said to have antisecretory and tranquillising properties without anticholinergic, antihistaminic, or ganglion-blocking effects. Trithiozine in animal studies proved to have a marked anti-secretory and anti-ulcer effect, along with a very low acute and chronic toxicity. Clinical trials with trithiozine have been performed in some European countries. The results of these trials, most of which were conducted on a double-blind basis, and including already several hundreds of patients, have shown that oral trithiozine: exerts a very significant action on both basal and stimulated gastric acid secretion, without a rebound hypersecretion; promotes, in most patients, a complete endoscopic healing of peptic ulcer, in addition to an early symptomatic relief; has a mild sedative action; does not affect the pancreatic secretion; is well tolerated even for long-term (up to 10 months) treatments.

Azamulin [14-O-(5-(2-amino-1,3,4-triazolyl)thioacetyl)-dihydromutilin] is an azole derivative of the pleuromutilin class of antiinfectives. Azamulin is a selective, irreversible inhibitor of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A isoforms (IC50 values range from 26 to 240 nM for CYP3A4 and CYP3A4/5 from different sources). It is at least 50-fold less potent against CYP2J2 and 100-fold less effective against all other CYP isoforms. Azamulin potently blocks the hydroxylation of testosterone and midazolam by CYP3A4. Azamulin exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity against all Gram-positive pathogens including MRSA, PRSP, and VRE, except for E. faecalis.

Tecadenoson is a novel selective A1 adenosine receptor agonist that is currently being evaluated for the conversion of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) to sinus rhythm. Adenosine is a naturally occurring compound that stimulates all adenosine receptor subtypes in the body, including the A2 adenosine receptor which lowers blood pressure. In non-clinical trials, tecadenoson selectively stimulated the A1 adenosine receptor in the Atrioventricular node (AV node) and slowed the speed of electrical conduction across the AV node, reducing the number of electrical impulses that reached the ventricle, without affecting blood pressure. Clinical studies to date with intravenous tecadenoson suggest that it may slow the speed of AV nodal conduction by selectively stimulating the A1 adenosine receptor, and may avoid blood pressure lowering by not stimulating the A2 adenosine receptor. Thus, it may be possible to use intravenous tecadenoson to convert patients from PSVT to normal sinus rhythm without lowering blood pressure or causing adverse events related to vasodilation such as flushing, palpitations or a headache.

Dexanabinol is the synthetic cannabinoid. It is inactive as a cannabimimetic, but exhibits pharmacological properties characteristic of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. It blocks NMDA-receptors stereospecifically by interacting with a site close to, but distinct from, that of uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonists and from the recognition sites of glutamate, glycine, and polyamines. This agent also scavenges peroxy radicals and protects neurons from the damages of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, dexanabinol inhibits the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), thereby preventing the expression of NF-kB target genes, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Dexanabinol is a potent cerebroprotective agent, with a therapeutic window of about 4 h. Dexanabinol is safe, but is not efficacious in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. It was introduced into clinical trials for breast cancer and advanced solid tumors.

Gallium maltolate is an oral agent in development for the potential treatment of chronic bacterial infections, bone disease and cancer. The bioavailable form, composed of a trivalent gallium cation (Ga3+) competes with and replaces Fe3+ in many vital Fe 3+-mediated biological reactions, but cannot mimic Fe3+ functions. High amounts of iron are needed for DNA synthesis in cancer, and the incorporation of Ga3+ inactivates the Fe3+-dependent enzyme ribonucleotide reductase (RR), an enzyme essential for DNA synthesis, leading to an inhibition of DNA synthesis and induction of cell death in rapidly proliferating cells. Gallium similarly reduces bacterial cell growth. Ga3+ is also able to suppress inflammation through the down-regulation of pro-inflammatory cells and the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion. Other effects that have been mentioned are analgesic effects, interference with the activity of certain metalloproteinases and neuropeptides that are implicated in pain, and prevention of the destruction of bone by tumors. Gallium maltolate is being investigated for use/treatment in bladder cancer, lymphoma (unspecified), multiple myeloma, paget's disease, and prostate cancer.

Flusoxolol (Ro 31-1411), a pharmacologically active optical isomer of Ro 31-1118 is a cardioselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist. Flusoxolol was studied for the treatment of patients with ischemic heart disorders; however, the further development of the drug has been discontinued.

FLOXACRINE, a dihydroacridinedione derivative, is an antimalarial agent. It showed high potency against blood-induced infection of drug-sensitive and drug-resistant lines of Plasmodium berghei in animal models.