CX3CR1 antagonist 18a (AZD8797) is the first potent selective and orally available CX3CR1 allosteric antagonist. AZD8797 is able to non-competitively displace and block CX3CL1 from binding CX3CR1 through an allosteric binding mechanism of action. AZD8797 effects G-protein signaling and β-arrestin recruitment in a biased way. Starting treatment with AZD8797 either before or after onset of disease reduced the clinical symptoms and pathological signs of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) (the model of multiple sclerosis) in a concentration-dependent manner. CX3CR1 (Fractalkine) signaling probably contributes to the growth and spread of tumors and the pain that often affects cancer patients. Kancera will now evaluate how efficiently the Fractalkine inhibitor AZD8797 may stop tumor growth and relieve severe pain.

Epinine or deoxyepinephrine is an active form of Ibopamine, which is used as a cardiovascular agent in congestive heart failure. Epinine is a stimulant of alpha-adrenoceptor activities: alpha-1 and alpha-2. Experiments on pig’s eyes have shown that epinine can be a promising candidate substance for intraoperative (e.g., cataract surgery) intracameral use in humans.

AZD9056 was developed as a selective inhibitor of the purinergic receptor P2X7, a key player in the generation and secretion of several proinflammatory cytokines. AZD 9056 participated is phase II clinical trials for osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but these studies were discontinued in 2009 because the drug failed to show significant efficacy in trials. In addition, in 2015 AZD 9056 was studied for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD), although the drug has shown a beneficial risk profile the lack in the change of inflammatory biomarkers questions its anti-inflammatory potential.

Sameridine was developed as a compound with both local anesthetic and opioid properties (partial micro-opioid receptor agonist). This drug participated in clinical trials when administered intrathecally to provide anesthesia for surgery and extended postoperative analgesia. However, further development of this drug was discontinued.

Sapitinib is an oral, reversible and equipotent inhibitor of EGFR, HER2 and HER3 signalling. The drug was tested in phase II of clinical trials in patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, gastric cancer and NSCL carcinoma, however its development for breast cancer therapy seems to be terminated. Sapitinib absorption is rapid and the drug is totally cleared by metabolism with the major routes being oxidation and amine or ether cleavage around the piperidine ring with subsequent glucuronide or sulphate conjugation.

AZD-3759 is an oral inhibitor of both wild-type and mutant EGFR with IC50 values in nanomolar range. The drug was discovered by AstraZeneca for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer with CNS metastases. AZD-3759 can penetrate the blood-brain barrier and was confirmed to be effective in vitro with NSCLC cell lines as well as in mouse model of brain metastases. AZD-3759 is currently in Phase 1 clinical trial.

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.

Epinine or deoxyepinephrine is an active form of Ibopamine, which is used as a cardiovascular agent in congestive heart failure. Epinine is a stimulant of alpha-adrenoceptor activities: alpha-1 and alpha-2. Experiments on pig’s eyes have shown that epinine can be a promising candidate substance for intraoperative (e.g., cataract surgery) intracameral use in humans.

AstraZeneca was developing AZD-2066, a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGLUR5) antagonist, for the oral treatment of pain indications (e.g. chronic neuropathic pain and painful diabetic neuropathies), depressive disorders and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease. AZD-2066 had been in phase II clinical trials by AstraZeneca for the treatment of diabetic neuropathic pain and phase I for the treatment of gastrooesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, this reasearch had being discontinued.

AZD-3514 is a down-regulator of androgen receptors. The drug was synthesized by AstraZeneca for the treatment of castrate-resistant prostate cancer and even reached phase I, however, its development was terminated.