Dasotraline, also known as SEP-225,289, is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI). It has an extended half-life (47-77 hours) that supports the potential for plasma concentrations yielding a continuous therapeutic effect over the 24-hour dosing interval at steady state. Dasotraline has shown a lower potential for abuse than methylphenidate in clinical testing. Dasotraline was discovered by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and is currently in development to evaluate its use in treating ADHD in adults and children, and BED in adults in the United States. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD, BED or any other disorder.

Dexanabinol is the synthetic cannabinoid. It is inactive as a cannabimimetic, but exhibits pharmacological properties characteristic of an N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor antagonist. It blocks NMDA-receptors stereospecifically by interacting with a site close to, but distinct from, that of uncompetitive NMDA-receptor antagonists and from the recognition sites of glutamate, glycine, and polyamines. This agent also scavenges peroxy radicals and protects neurons from the damages of reactive oxygen species. Furthermore, dexanabinol inhibits the activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), thereby preventing the expression of NF-kB target genes, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, cytokines and inducible nitric oxide synthase. Dexanabinol is a potent cerebroprotective agent, with a therapeutic window of about 4 h. Dexanabinol is safe, but is not efficacious in the treatment of traumatic brain injury. It was introduced into clinical trials for breast cancer and advanced solid tumors.

PERFLUBRODEC is a component of an artificial perfluorochemical-based oxygen carrier OXYGENT. Using solely 3.6%w/v egg yolk phospholipid, Alliance Pharmaceutical Corporation (San Diego, California, USA) developed a concentrated (60% w/v) and stable perfluorocarbon emulsion, OXYGENT, which is composed of 58% w/v perfluorooctyl bromide and 2% w/v perfluorodecyl bromide, with an average particle size of 0.16-0.18 μm diameter. As a blood substitute OXYGENT has been administered to patients undergoing surgeries in clinical trials, however development was discontinued.

CX 516, a compound synthesized by Cortex Pharmaceuticals using Ampakine® technology licensed from the University of California, was in clinical investigations for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, fragile X syndrome and autism, and sleep disorders, however, development of this drug candidate has been discontinued. CX 516 had an extremely short halflife in humans, very low potency and failed to show any benefits in phase II studies. The compound did have a good safety profile, reducing concerns about the toxicity of excess glutamate. Cortex subsequently terminated clinical development of CX 516.

Tipifarnib is an oral farnesyltransferase (FTase) inhibitor which was developed by Janssen (J&J). Upon administration, tipifarnib inhibits FTase and thus suppresses the activity of downstream effectors. The drug reached phase III of clinical trials for such diseases as pancreatic cancer (terminated), colorectal cancer (terminated) and acute myeloid leukemia (in elderly patients).

Asoprisnil (J867) is a novel selective steroid receptor modulator that shows unique pharmacodynamic effects in animal models and humans. Asoprisnil, its major metabolite J912, and other structurally related compounds represent a new class of progesterone receptor (PR) ligands that exhibit partial agonist and antagonist activities in vivo. Asoprisnil demonstrates a high degree of receptor and tissue selectivity, with a high-binding affinity for PR, moderate affinity for glucocorticoid receptor (GR), low affinity for androgen receptor (AR), and no binding affinity for estrogen or mineralocorticoid receptors. This compound was recently in clinical trials for the treatment of uterine fibroids and endometriosis, but those studies were discontinued.

Fosmidomycin (3-(formylhydroxyamino)-propylphosphonic acid mono-sodium salt, 3-(N-formyl-N-hydroxyamino)-propylphosphonic acid mono-sodium salt, FR-31564) is a potent inhibitor of P. falciparum 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate reductoisomerase (PfDXR), developed by Albert Schweitzer Hospital for P. falciparum malaria treatment. Fosmidomycin was originally isolated as natural antibiotic from Streptomyces lavendulae. Fosmidomycin is active against a broad range of enterobacteria, but not against Gram-positive organisms or anaerobes. Fosmidomycin was developed as far as an early phase II study for the treatment of urinary tract infections by Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Company (Osaka, Japan) in the early eighties, but these trials have been discontinued. In recent clinical studies, it was shown that fosmidomycin is effective in curing uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in humans. The treatment was well tolerated and resulted in a fast parasite and fever clearance. However, the high rate of recrudescence precludes the use of fosmidomycin as a monotherapy. In drug combination studies, the synergy of fosmidomycin with clindamycin was observed. Clinical studies with a fosmidomycin-clindamycin combination are currently ongoing.

Flindokalner (BMS 204352; MaxiPost™) is a neuroprotective agent with potential in the treatment of stroke developed by Bristol-Myers Squibb. Flindokalner is a potent and effective opener of two important subtypes of neuronal potassium channels, the calcium-activated, big-conductance potassium channels (K(Ca) channels) and voltage-dependent, non-inactivating potassium channels known as KCNQ channels. Flindokalner significantly reduced cortical infarct volume in a animal models of stroke. Flindokalner failed to show superior efficacy in acute stroke patients compared to placebo in a Phase III study.

Prinomastat is a synthetic hydroxamic acid derivative with potential antineoplastic activity. Prinomastat inhibits matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) (specifically, MMP-2, 9, 13, and 14), thereby inducing extracellular matrix degradation, and inhibiting angiogenesis, tumor growth and invasion, and metastasis. As a lipophilic agent, prinomastat crosses the blood-brain barrier. Pfizer conducted multicenter, randomized, double-bind, placebo-controlled trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prinomastat in combination with standard chemotherapy in patients with advanced hormone refractory prostate cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. However, this study has been terminated for the reason that Prinomastat did not improve the outcome of chemotherapy in non-small cell Lung cancer patients.

Vanoxerine, also known as GBR-12909, is a piperazine derivative exhibiting potent selective inhibition of sodium-dependent dopamine reuptake transporters. Vanoxerine has been in clinical trials for Parkinsonism, depression and cocaine addiction but lacked efficacy. Vanoxerine has also been observed as a potent blocker of the following channels: cardiac hERG/IKr potassium channel, Calcium channel, voltage-dependent, L type, alpha 1C subunit (also known as Cav1.2) and voltage-gated sodium channel Nav 1.5. Vanoxerine was studied as a potential treatment for atrial fibrillation. However, phase III clinical trials for this condition were terminated because of cardiac safety concerns. Research also indicates that vanoxerine may have additional mechanisms of action including antagonist action at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs).