p53 is a critical tumor suppressor and is the most frequently inactivated gene in human cancer. Inhibition of the interaction of p53 with its negative regulator MDM2 represents a promising clinical strategy to treat p53 wild-type tumors. AMG 232 is a potential best-in-class inhibitor of the MDM2-p53 interaction and is currently in clinical trials. Based on X-ray cocrystal structures a model of AMG 232 bound to MDM2 was developed. The model shows that the m-chlorophenyl, the p-chlorophenyl, and C-linked isopropyl fragments of AMG 232 bind to the Leu 26(p53), Trp 23(p53), and Phe 19(p53) pockets of MDM2, respectively. The carboxylic acid forms a salt bridge with His 96 and the isopropyl sulfone forms a novel interaction with the glycine shelf region of MDM2. AMG 232 in phase II in combination with trametinib and dabrafenib in subjects with metastatic melanoma; in phase I for the treatment of solid tumors, multiple myeloma and Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Uprosertib is an oral potent Akt inhibitor which acts equally on Akt1, Akt2 and Akt3. The drug is under clinical development in combination with trametinib for the treatment of different cancers, including melanoma, myeloma, breast, endometrial, cervical cancer, etc.

Merck was developing MK 8245, an orally active inhibitor of stearoyl CoA desaturase for the treatment of type-2 diabetes mellitus. MK-8245 is a liver-targeting inhibitor of stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) with IC50 of 1 nM for human SCD1 and 3 nM for both rat SCD1 and mouse SCD1, with anti-diabetic and anti-dyslipidemic efficacy. It is in Phase 2 clinical studies for type 2 diabetes mellitus.

CP 724714 is an orally bioavailable, quinazoline-based, selective small molecule inhibitor of the HER2/erbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase. The compound could have particular potential in the treatment of women with metastatic breast cancer, of which 25-30% over express HER2/erbB2. CP 724714 was in preclinical development with Pfizer.

GSK-256066 is a PDE4B inhibitor which was developed by GlaxoSmithKline and tested in phase II of clinical trials for the treatment of COPD, Asthma and Seasonal allergic rhinitis. According to the GSK pipeline, development of GSK-256066 was terminated. There are studies that describes the possibility of repurposing of the drug as antitrypanosomal agents, because it inhibits PDEB1 of Trypanosoma brucei.

CYR-101 (MIN-101) is a cyclic amide derivative that has high equipotent affinities for 5-HT2A and sigma-2 receptors (Ki of 7.53 nM and 8.19 nM for 5-HT2A and sigma-2, respectively). MIN-101 also shows binding affinity for a1-adrenergic receptors but low or no affinity for muscarinic, cholinergic, and histaminergic receptors. MIN-101 demonstrated statistically significant efficacy in reducing negative symptoms and good tolerability in stable schizophrenia patients. The drug is in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of Schizophrenia.

MK-2206 is an oral selective allosteric inhibitor of Akt that targets all three isoforms of human Akt (Akt-1, Akt-2 and Akt-3). In a phase I study of solid tumors, MK-2206 demonstrated evidence of target modulation and anti-proliferative activity as a single agent and in combination with other agents. Current ongoing trials of MK-2206 include monotherapy and combination therapy in breast cancer, colorectal cancer, haematological malignancies, non-small cell lung cancer and other. Detected treatment-related adverse event are: rash, fatigue, hyperglycemia.

Filorexant (MK-6096) is a novel, structurally distinct dual orexin receptor antagonist, conclusively validates orexin signalling mechanism as a specific and effective target for the treatment of insomnia and potentially other disorders in which sleep/wake dysregulation occurs. Also, it is being investigated as a possible agent against diabetic neuropathies, major depressive disorder and for the a migraine prophylaxis. Detected adverse events are: sleep-onset paralysis, excessive daytime sleepiness. As of May 2015, filorexant is no longer listed on Merck's online development pipeline.

BVD-523 potently and selectively inhibits ERK1 and ERK2 kinases in a reversible, ATP-competitive fashion. Consistent with its mechanism of action, BVD-523 inhibits signal transduction, cell proliferation, and cell survival, most potently in cell lines bearing mutations that activate MAPK pathway signaling. Similarly, single-agent BVD-523 inhibits tumor growth in vivo in BRAF-mutant melanoma and colorectal xenografts as well as in KRAS-mutant colorectal and pancreatic models. BioMed Valley Discoveries is developing ulixertinib, a potent and selective small molecule inhibitor of ERK 1 and 2 kinases, as an oral treatment for cancers harbouring mutations in the MAPK signaling pathway. Phase I/II development of the drug for advanced cancers including, acute myeloid leukaemia and myelodysplastic syndromes is underway in the US. A phase I trial is underway in the US for pancreatic cancer.

AV608, a 4-aminopiperidine derivative, is a selective, specific, long-acting, orally active and potent nonpeptidic antagonist of the NK-1 receptor. AV-608 had been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of social phobia and overactive bladder (OAB). This compound was originally discovered by Novartis, and then licensed to Areva Pharmaceuticals in October 2003. Addition this drug was in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), this disease is characterized by chronic abdominal pain and frequent comorbid anxiety. The substance P ⁄ neurokinin-1 receptor system is implicated in the regulation of both pain and anxiety, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in IBS. However, the researches on this drug candidate were discontinued in 2010.