PTX-008 (OTX008) is a calixarene-based compound and galectin-1 (Gal-1) inhibitor with potential anti-angiogenic and antineoplastic activities. Upon subcutaneous administration, galectin-1 inhibitor OTX008 binds Gal-1 which leads to Gal-1 oxidation and proteosomal degradation through a not yet fully elucidated mechanism, and eventually downregulates Gal-1. This decreases tumor cell growth and inhibits angiogenesis. Gal-1, a multifunctional carbohydrate-binding protein, is often overexpressed on tumor cells and plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor angiogenesis and evasion of immune responses. PTX-008 had been in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumours. This compound was originally discovered by University of Minnesota and PepTx, then licensed to OncoEthix (acquired by Merck Sharp & Dohme in 2014). However, no recent developments has been reported.

Pexmetinib (ARRY-614) is a potent, orally bioavailable, dual p38 MAPK/Tie-2 inhibitor with potential antineoplastic, anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic activities. Pexmetinib inhibited leukemic proliferation, prevented activation of downstream effector kinases and abrogated the effects of TNF-alpha on healthy hematopoietic stem cells. In ex vivo stimulated human whole blood, LPS-induced cytokines was inhibited by Pexmetinib with an IC50 value ranging from 50-120 nM. ARRY-614 inhibited the release of IL-6 from SEA- or LPS-challenged mice with an ED50 value less than 10 mg/kg. Combining Pexmetinib with lenalidomide inhibited both pro-inflammatory cytokines and tumor growth in vivo with higher potency, compared with either agent alone. In dose escalation or expansion cohorts, treatment with Pexmetinib either once daily or twice daily was applied to forty-five patients. Pexmetinib reduced the levels of circulating biomarkers and the p38 MAPK activation of bone marrow.

SP-420 is iron chelator developed by University Of Florida Research Foundation for the treatment of iron overload disease

PND-1186, also known as SR-2156 and VS-4718, is a potent FAK inhibitor with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 1.5 nM in vitro. PND-1186 has an IC50 of ~100 nM in breast carcinoma cells. PND-1186 is currently being evaluated in a Phase 1 trial in patients with advanced solid tumors. In addition, an ongoing collaboration with Wash U is evaluating PND-1186 in combination with gemcitabine and Abraxane in 1st line pancreatic cancer.

CB-5083 is a novel first in class, potent orally bio-available p97 inhibitor that disrupts cellular protein homeostasis and demonstrates anti-tumor activity in solid and hematological models. CB-5083 causes rapid and sustained accumulation of poly-ubiquitin in tumor xenografts after a single administration. CB-5083 showed activity to inhibit tumor growth in multiple rodent models of human cancer. Furthermore, CB-5083 appears to exhibit greater potency over current proteasome inhibitors that further validate targeting p97 and protein homeostasis in the treatment of cancer. CB-5083 is a potent inhibitor of endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation and induces a lethal unfodled protein response. CB-5083 recently began Phase 1 testing in relapsed/refractory or refractory multiple myeloma, and advanced solid tumors.

XK-469 (2-[4-(7-chloro-2-quinoxalinyloxy)phenoxy]-propionic acid) is a novel synthetic quinoxaline phenoxypropionic acid derivative. The R-isomer of XK-469 was approximately twice as effective as the S-isomer of XK-469R. R( )-isomers induce reversible protein DNA crosslinks in mammalian cells. It acts as a selective topoisomerase IIβ inhibitor. A phase I study was performed to determine the safety and pharmacokinetics of XK-469, (R)- in patients with various neoplasms.

TAK-593 is an oral formulation containing a small-molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor of both vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) with potential antineoplastic activity. TAK-593 selectively binds to and inhibits VEGFR and PDGFR, which may result in the inhibition of angiogenesis and tumor cell proliferation. It was in the phase I of clinical trial in subjects with nonhematologic advanced cancer and it was discontinued.

Elacridar is an oral bioenhancer that targets multiple drug resistance in tumors. Elacridar is a strong and relatively specific inhibitor of P-gp and BCRP, two main efflux transporters. Development of elacridar is assumed to have been discontinued.

JNJ-38877605 is an orally available, small molecule inhibitor of the proto-oncogene c-Met (hepatocyte growth factor receptor [HGFR]) with potential antineoplastic activity. c-Met inhibitor JNJ-38877605 selectively binds to c-Met, thereby inhibiting c-Met phosphorylation and disrupting c-Met signal transduction pathways. JNJ-38877605 was in Phase I clinical trials. Combined clinical and correlative preclinical studies suggest that renal toxicity of JNJ-38877605 is caused by the formation of species-specific insoluble metabolites. These observations preclude further clinical development of JNJ-38877605.

BI-224436 is an HIV-1 integrase inhibitor with effective antiviral activity that acts through a mechanism that is distinct from that of integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs). This 3-quinolineacetic acid derivative series was identified using an enzymatic integrase long terminal repeat (LTR) DNA 3'-processing assay. A combination of medicinal chemistry, parallel synthesis, and structure-guided drug design led to the identification of BI 224436 as a candidate for preclinical profiling. It has antiviral 50% effective concentrations (EC50s) of <15 nM against different HIV-1 laboratory strains and cellular cytotoxicity of >90 μM. BI-224436 also retains full antiviral activity against recombinant viruses encoding INSTI resistance substitutions N155S, Q148H, and E92Q. In drug combination studies performed in cellular antiviral assays, BI-224436 displays an additive effect in combination with most approved antiretrovirals, including INSTIs. BI-224436 has drug-like in vitro absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) properties, including Caco-2 cell permeability, solubility, and low cytochrome P450 inhibition. It exhibited excellent pharmacokinetic profiles in rat (clearance as a percentage of hepatic flow [CL], 0.7%; bioavailability [F], 54%), monkey (CL, 23%; F, 82%), and dog (CL, 8%; F, 81%). Based on the excellent biological and pharmacokinetic profile, BI 224436 was advanced into phase 1 clinical trials. Trials with clinical candidate BI-224436 were put on hold despite promising results.