Imiloxan is a highly selective alpha2B adrenoceptor antagonist and was developed for depression in the 1980s. In Phase 1 clinical trials imiloxan dosing led to hypersensitivity reactions; the molecule's development was discontinued.

Safingol, the synthetic L-threo-stereoisomer of endogenous (D-erythro-) sphinganine, is an inhibitor of protein kinase C and sphingosine kinase in vitro, and in some cell types has been implicated in ceramide generation and induction of apoptosis. Safingol inhibits enzymatic activity and 3H-phorbol dibutyrate binding of purified rat brain PKC (IC50 = 37.5 uM and 31uM, respectively). Inhibits human PKCα, the major overexpressed isoenzyme in MCF-7 DOXR cells (IC50 = 40 uM). Safingol enhances the cytotoxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent Mitomycin C (MMC) in gastric cancer cells by promoting drug-induced apoptosis. Safingol is an inhibitor of SphK (Sphingosine kinase). Safingol has been shown to act synergistically with other chemotherapeutic agents and may potentiate chemotherapy drug-induced apoptosis in vitro and in vivo.

CHS-828 () is a potent and selective inhibitor of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (NAMPT), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of NAD, which may be used to deplete cells of Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). Early preclinical studies revealed a high in vitro activity of CHS 828 in human tumor cell lines, a low cross-reactivity with clinically used anticancer agents, and no significant sensitivity to some of the known mechanisms of resistance. In the subsequent pharmacodynamic evaluation, CHS 828 demonstrated significant antitumor activity in several in vivo tumor models, especially pronounced in a nude mouse model of small cell lung cancer. CHS 828 exerted a high antitumor activity on eight tumor samples derived from patients with ovarian cancer and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

CEP-32496 (RXDX 105) is an orally administered, small molecule, VEGFRsparing, RET, BRAF, EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor, for the treatment of solid tumours, including malignant melanoma and colorectal cancer. CEP-32496 was originally discovered by Ambit Biosciences (now Daiichi Sankyo) and Cephalon (now owned by Teva) as part of a research programme to develop orally administered kinase inhibitors. The worldwide rights to the compound were licensed to Teva by Ambit, following the acquisition of Cephalon by Teva. Teva, in March 2015, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Ignyta, pursuant to which, Ignyta has acquired worldwide rights and assets of four oncology development programmes, including CEP-32496. Following the acquisition of the compound by Ignyta, CEP 32496 has been renamed to RXDX 105. Phase I/Ib development of RXDX 105 for the treatment of advanced solid tumours is underway in the US.

Cevipabulin is a synthetic, water-soluble tubulin-binding agent with potential antineoplastic activity. Cevipabulin appears to bind at the vinca-binding site on tubulin but seems to act more similar to taxane-site binding agents in that it enhances tubulin polymerization and does not induce tubulin depolymerization. The disruption in microtubule dynamics may eventually inhibit cell division and reduce cellular growth.

Arno Therapeutics is developing AR-12, an orally available, targeted therapy for cancer and infectious diseases. AR-12 is a potentially first-in-class, orally available, targeted anti-cancer agent that has been shown in preclinical studies to inhibit phosphoinositide-dependent protein kinase-1, or PDK-1, a protein in the PI3K/Akt pathway that is involved in the growth and proliferation of cells, including cancer cells. Although FDA-approved drugs that target the Akt pathway have shown efficacy in treating cancer, some tumors either do not respond to these drugs or eventually become resistant to therapy. Scientists hypothesize that a combination of drugs that inhibit different targets in this pathway could provide synergistic or additive benefits to increase efficacy and potentially overcome drug resistance. For this reason, there has been particular interest within the biopharmaceutical industry in developing inhibitors of PI3K, PDK-1, and Akt. AR-12 was licensed to Arno in January 2008 by The Ohio State University Research Foundation for commercial development by Arno as a potential treatment for solid tumors and hematological malignancies. In preclinical studies, AR-12 has shown efficacy in a wide range of tumor types, including breast, lung, prostate, pancreatic, brain and hematological cancers, as both a single-agent as well as in combination with leading oncology therapeutics. Also AR-12 represents a promising class of small molecules with broad-spectrum antifungal activity. AR-12 inhibits fungal acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) synthetase in vitro and is fungicidal at concentrations similar to those achieved in human plasma. AR-12 has a broad spectrum of activity, including activity against yeasts (e.g., Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida spp., Cryptococcus neoformans), molds (e.g., Fusarium, Mucor), and dimorphic fungi (Blastomyces, Histoplasma, and Coccidioides) with MICs of 2 to 4 ug/ml. AR-12 is also active against azole- and echinocandin-resistant Candida isolates, and subinhibitory AR-12 concentrations increase the susceptibility of fluconazole- and echinocandin-resistant Candida isolates. Also AR-12 acts as a broad-specificity anti-viral drug in vitro and in vivo. AR-12 (OSU-03012) interacts with multiple chaperone proteins of the HSP90 family and the HSP70 family resulting in a broad spectrum of chaperone inactivation. This overall loss of chaperone functionality results in cells being more readily capable of undergoing autophagic processes and in cells that have a reduced competency for virus replication.

ICI-118,551 is a selective subtype β2 adrenergic receptor (adrenoreceptor) antagonist. ICI-118,551 binds to the β2 subtype with at least 100 times greater affinity than to other subtypes of the beta adrenoceptor β1 or β3. Pharmacological experiments proved that the right shift of the norepinephrine dose-response curve by ICI-118,551 was mediated via a beta(2)-adrenoceptor/G(i/o) protein-dependent pathway enhancing NO production in the endothelium. These results were corroborated in beta-adrenoceptor and endothelial NO synthase knockout mice where ICI had no effect. ICI-118,551 increased vascular lumen diameter in lung sections and reduced pulmonary arterial pressure under normoxia and under hypoxia in the isolated perfused lung model. These effects were found to be physiologically relevant, because ICI-118,551 specifically decreased pulmonary but not systemic blood pressure in vivo. Thus, it has been suggested that ICI-118,551 is a pulmonary arterial-specific vasorelaxant and might be a potential novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. It was also demonstrated that systemic topical administration of ICI 118,551 results in decreased intraocular pressure in both eyes of rabbits, indicating that at least part of the ocular hypotensive effect of topical ICI 118,551 is mediated through systemic absorption. However, ICI 118,551 did not lower blood pressure in hypertensive patients known to respond to therapy with atenolol or propranolol.

MLN8054 is a reversible, ATP competitive inhibitor of recombinant Aurora A, developed by Millennium Pharmaceuticals. MLN8054 was tested in phase I clinical trials against advanced solid tumors. Reversible somnolence probably due to off-target inhibition of alpha-1 subunit of GABA-A receptor was dose limiting and prevented achievement of plasma concentrations predicted necessary for target modulation.

Metamfepramone (dimethylcathinone, dimethylpropion, and dimepropion) was synthesized by various routes in the 1930s and 1940s and clinically evaluated as anorectic as well as a treatment of hypotension and symptoms of the common cold. It was widely used for the treatment of the common cold or hypotonic conditions. Due to its stimulating properties and its rapid metabolism resulting in major degradation products such as methylpseudoephedrine and methcathinone, it has been considered relevant for doping controls by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Metamfepramone was marketed as an appetite suppressant, but was made illegal in 2006.

Darglitazone is a member of the thiazolidinedione class of drugs and an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), an orphan member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of transcription factors. It has a variety of insulin-sensitizing effects, such as improving glycemic and lipidemic control, and is used in the treatment of metabolic disorders such as type II diabetes. Darglitazone sodium had been in phase I clinical trials by Pfizer for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. However, this study has been discontinued.