Pagoclone is an anxiolytic agent from the cyclopyrrolone family, related to better-known drugs such as the sleeping medication zopiclone. It binds with the roughly equivalent high affinity (0.7–9.1 nM) to the benzodiazepine binding site of human GABAA receptors containing either a α1, α2, α3 or α5 subunit. It is a partial agonist at α1-, α2- and α5-containing GABAA receptors and a full agonist at receptors containing a α3 subunit. Pagoclone produces anxiolytic effects with little sedative or amnestic actions at low doses.

Barasertib (AZD1152) is a dihydrogen phosphate prodrug of a pyrazoloquinazoline Aurora kinase inhibitor [AZD1152–hydroxyquinazoline pyrazol anilide (HQPA)] and is converted rapidly to the active AZD1152-HQPA in plasma. AstraZeneca was developing the aurora kinase inhibitor, barasertib (AZD 1152) as a therapeutic for cancer. AZD1152-HQPA is a highly potent and selective inhibitor of Aurora B (Ki, 0.36nmol/L) compared with Aurora A (Ki, 1,369nmol/L) and has a high specificity versus a panel of 50 other kinases. Consistent with inhibition of Aurora B kinase, addition of AZD1152-HQPA to tumour cells in vitro induces chromosome misalignment, prevents cell division, and consequently reduces cell viability and induces apoptosis. Barasertib (AZD1152) potently inhibited the growth of human colon, lung, and haematologic tumour xenografts (mean tumour growth inhibition range, 55% to ≥100%; P < 0.05) in immunodeficient mice. Detailed pharmacodynamic analysis in colorectal SW620 tumour-bearing athymic rats treated i.v. with Barasertib (AZD1152) revealed a temporal sequence of phenotypic events in tumours: transient suppression of histone H3 phosphorylation followed by accumulation of 4N DNA in cells (2.4-fold higher compared with controls) and then an increased proportion of polyploid cells (>4N DNA, 2.3-fold higher compared with controls). Histologic analysis showed aberrant cell division that was concurrent with an increase in apoptosis in AZD1152-treated tumours. Bone marrow analyses revealed transient myelosuppression with the drug that was fully reversible following cessation of Barasertib (AZD1152) treatment. Barasertib (AZD1152) was in phase III for the treatment of Acute myeloid leukaemia, but later these studies were discontinued.

Bifeprunox, code name DU-127,090 is an atypical antipsychotic agent, which combines minimal D2 receptor agonism with 5-HT receptor agonism. Bifeprunox was in phase III of clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia, Bipolar Depression and in phase I for Parkinson's disease, but these studies were discontinued because efficacy data did not support pursuing the existing development strategy of stabilization of non-acute patients with schizophrenia.

Pridopidine is an experimental drug candidate belonging to a class of agents known as dopidines, which act as dopaminergic stabilizers in the central nervous system. As a dopamine stabilizer, pridopidine is thought to reduce the effects of dopamine when there’s too much and increase its effects when there’s too little. Pridopidine, therefore, plays two opposing roles in the brain, which stabilize dopamine levels. In this way, pridopidine is thought to help the brain reestablish a normal balance of neurotransmitters, and thus regain control over motion. Pridopidine intended to treat Huntington’s disease movement symptoms. Pridopidine was well tolerated and had an adverse event profile similar to a placebo.

MK-0557, trans-N-[1-(2-fluorophenyl)-3-pyrazolyl]-3-oxospiro [6 azaisobenzofuran-1(3H),10-cyclohexane]-40-carboxamide, is an orally available Neuropeptide Y (NPY5) receptor antagonist. MK-0557 was studied in the clinical trials for the treatment of obesity, however, MK-0557 did not significantly increase the weight loss efficacy. MK-0557 safety and effectiveness were studied in a trial for the treatment of cognitive impairment in patients with schizophrenia. It seems MK-0557 development was discontinued.

Obatoclax (GX15-070) is a novel BH3 mimetic pan Bcl- 2 inhibitor. The clinically studied formulation is as obatoclax mesylate (Box 1), a salt. It is only under study as an intravenous preparation. It functions to block BH3-mediated binding of Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Mcl-1 and A1 to Bax and Bak. Bax and Bak thus are unopposed and able to dimerize to allow initiation of intrinsic apoptosis. Preclinically, obatoclax has been shown to reverse inhibition of Bax or Bak by Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, Bcl-w and Mcl-1. Obatoclax was discovered by Gemin X, which was acquired by Cephalon, which has since been acquired by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Obatoclax had been in phase III clinical trials by Gemin X Biotechnologies (subsidiary of Teva) for the treatment of non-small lung cancer (NSCLC). The compound received orphan drug designation in the U.S. in 2004 for the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). However, Teva discontinued the development of obatoclax in 2013.

Aloxistatin (E64d) is an irreversible and membrane-permeable cysteine protease inhibitor. Aloxistatin was developed for treating muscular dystrophy. Open trials on 73 Duchene’s muscular dystrophy patients were conducted for 3 years at four Japanese national sanatoriums and resulted in some muscle strength improvement but the results were inconclusive and final double-blind studies did not confirm the results. Taisho has discontinued development of aloxistatin for the potential treatment of muscular dystrophy. The  trials completed through Phase 3. In animal models Aloxistatin (100 mg/kg, p.o.) strongly inhibits the cathepsin B&L activities in the skeletal muscle, heart and liver of hamsters. In spinal cord injury (SCI) rats, Aloxistatin provides neuroprotection in SCI lesion and penumbra.Aloxistatin reduces brain amyloid-β and improves memory deficits in Alzheimer's disease animal models by inhibiting cathepsin B activity.

Terutroban (S18886), a specific thromboxane A2 receptor antagonist, which improves endothelial function and has an antiatherosclerotic effect. The compound is under development by Servier for the potential treatment of cardiovascular diseases and coronary artery disease. In addition, it participated in phase III clinical trials PERFORM (Prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular Events of ischemic origin with teRutroban in patients with a history oF ischemic strOke or tRansient ischeMic attack), but this study was stopped, and the result was not achieved.

Semagacestat (LY-450139) was a gamma secretase inhibitor being developed as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease by Eli Lilly. It was hoped that the drug would help to delay the onset of severe Alzheimer's disease, and thereby help preserve cognitive and executive functioning and in turn improve patient quality of life. Semagacestat (LY-450139) is designed to inhibit gamma secretase, an enzyme that is involved in the cleavage of APP to beta-amyloid. By decreasing production of beta-amyloid, it is hoped that gamma secretase inhibitors will exert a disease-modifying effect in Alzheimer's disease and thus slow or halt the destruction of nerve cells – the final stage in the amyloid cascade hypothesis. In March 2008 semagacestat (LY-450139) advanced to Phase III development, where it was evaluated in the IDENTITY (Interrupting Alzheimer's Dementia by EvaluatiNg Treatment of AmyloId PaThologY) trial, the first Phase III trial for this new anti-dementia drug. In August 2010, Eli Lilly announced its decision to halt the development of Semagacestat. The decision was taken after analysing the preliminary results of the second Phase III clinical trial of the drug, which indicated that semagacestat failed to slow disease progression. The drug, in fact, worsened cognition and the ability to perform day-to-day activities.

Tivantinib (ARQ 197) is the first non-ATP-competitive small molecule that selectively targets the c-Met receptor tyrosine kinase. Exposure to Tivantinib resulted in the inhibition of proliferation of c-Met-expressing cancer cell lines as well as the induction of caspase-dependent apoptosis in cell lines with constitutive c-Met activity. ArQule and its collaborators Daiichi Sankyo and Kyowa Hakko Kirin are developing tivantinib as a potential therapy for many cancers. c-Met is overexpressed in many cancers. Tivantinib currently is in phase 3 clinical development for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and non-small cell lung cancer.