Napabucasin (BBI608) is an orally administered small molecule that blocks stem cell activity in cancer cells by targeting the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathway, which is over-activated in many types of cancer and has been shown to be an important pathway in cancer stem cell-mediated propagation of cancer. Napabucasin has already shown promising efficacy on different cancer types, both as a monotherapy and in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. Early-phase trials have shown promising anti-tumor efficacy when patients are treated with napabucasin in combination with standard chemotherapy agents, and preclinical results suggest that napabucasin can synergize with chemotherapy agents, such as paclitaxel, to potentially overcome drug resistance. Encouraging phase Ib/II trial results warrant further clinical study with napabucasin and paclitaxel combination therapy, especially in malignancies where there is an urgent and unmet need for effective therapeutics, such as in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

LCQ908 (Pradigastat) is a diacylglycerol acyltransferase-1 (DGAT-1) inhibitor. DGAT-1 is one of the two DGAT enzymes that catalyse the formation of triglycerides from diacylglycerol and acyl- coenzyme A. DGAT-1 catalyses the final committed step in processing dietary fatty acids into triglycerides carried on chylomicrons for transport around the body. Pradigastat may decrease the level of triglycerides in the blood and is intended for the first line treatment of FCS. It is administered orally at 10-40mg daily in addition to a low fat diet. Pradigastat is also in phase II clinical trials for type 2 diabetes and severe hypertriglyceridaemia (familial hyperchylomicronaemia phenotypes I and V). Pradigastat is a designated orphan drug in the EU. In a phase III clinical trial.

Chlorogenic acid is the ester of caffeic acid and (-)-quinic acid. Chlorogenic acid is a naturally occurring plant metabolite and can be found with the related compounds cryptochlorgenic acid and neochlorogenic acid in the leaves of Hibiscus sabdariffa, coffee, potato, eggplant, peaches, and prunes. Chlorogenic acid has been investigated as a dietary supplement to improve glucose intolerant hypoglycemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. It has also been identified as a potential anticancer agent by reducing the expression of HIF-1a and Sphingosine Kinase-1. Chlorogenic acid was also identified as a neuraminidase blocker effective against influenza A virus (H1N1 and H3N2).

Fedovapagon, also known as VA106483 and VT483, is a potent, nonpeptidic vasopressin V2 receptor agonist. Vasopressin (AVP) is a hormone that stimulates an increase in water permeability through activation of V2 receptors in the kidney. Fedovapagon (VA106483) was discovered by Vantia and currently in Phase II trials for the treatment of nocturia, a common condition that causes sufferers to wake frequently during the night in order to urinate. Fedovapagon has been extensively studied in clinical trials and data, presented at the American Urological Association meeting in 2010, demonstrated a dose-dependent reduction in nocturnal urine volumes and a reliable pharmacodynamic effect on repeated dosing. More recently, data presented in San Diego at the 2012 American Urological Association meeting, showed that fedovapagon was effective from the first night of dosing and that there was no effect following cessation of dosing. Further presentations are planned for the International Continence Society meeting being held in Barcelona in August 2013. These data suggest that fedovapagon has the potential to be an effective and well tolerated antidiuretic for the treatment of nocturia. Fedovapagon is currently being investigated as a new treatment for nocturia in a Phase-II/III clinical trials in USA (PO)(NCT02637960).

Orteronel (TAK-700) is a non-steroidal antiandrogen, discovered by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, that selectively inhibits the 17,20 lyase enzyme (CYP17A1). This enzyme, which is present in both the testes and adrenal glands, is central to the production of steroidal androgens. Synthesis of androgens outside the testes contributes to disease progression in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). In phase III of clinical trials for metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer it wasn’t shown overall survival rates, and development was voluntarily terminated as a result.

Mavoglurant (AFQ056) was developed as a new metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) antagonist. The efficacy of mavoglurant in humans has been assessed in L-dopa induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease and Fragile X syndrome in proof of principle clinical studies. However, Novartis had announced that the company would be discontinuing its development program in Fragile X following negative results in a large international clinical trial in adults, and more recently in a trial in adolescents. In both placebo-controlled trials, patients taking mavoglurant did not show improvement over placebo in any outcome measures. In patients with L-Dopa-induced dyskinesias studies failed to meet the primary objective of demonstrating improvement of dyskinesia. Mavoglurant was also investigated in phase II clinical trials to reduce chorea in Huntington's disease, but the target result was not achieved. Currently Novartis is conducting a phase II clinical trial to demonstrate whether or not this drug can benificially reduce cocaine use in Cocaine Use Disorder.

Remacemide is a low-affinity noncompetitive NMDA receptor antagonist with sodium channel blocking properties. It has been studied for a number of conditions including acute ischemic stroke, epilepsy, Parkinsons Disease, and Huntington's disease. It was concluded, that was unlikely that remacemide would be further developed as an antiepileptic drug. As for other conditions, there no any information in the literature, why remacemide is no longer being developed for them.

Omtriptolide (previously known as PG490-88 or F60008), an immunosuppressant that has been shown to be the safe and potent antitumor agent and it has been approved entry into Phase I clinical trial for the treatment of prostate cancer in the USA. In addition, the drug is participating in phase I clinical trial for the treatment of myeloid leukemia. Experiments on animals have shown omtriptolide was highly effective in the prevention of murine graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The immunosuppressive effect of the drug was mediated by inhibition of alloreactive T cell expansion through interleukin-2 production. However, this study was discontinued. Recently published article has shown omtriptolide possesses the potential as a prophylactic agent to prevent ischemia/reperfusion (I/R)-induced lung injury.

Mitolactol is a synthetic derivative of hexitol with antineoplastic and radiosensitizing properties. Mitolactol alkylates DNA via actual or derived epoxide groups, resulting in inhibition of DNA and RNA synthesis.

Talsaclidine (WAL-2014) is a selective full agonist of M1 muscarinic receptor, having partial agonist activity on the M2 and M3 subtypes (with no in vivo consequences). The general receptor profile of talsaclidine demonstrates a nearly specific interaction with muscarinic receptors, having only weak binding affinity for alpha1- and nicotinic receptors. The drug is being tested in phase III of clinical trials for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.