CHF-5074 is a small molecule with a unique microglial modulating mechanism of action capable of selectively reducing pro-inflammatory activities of microglial cells while increasing their ability to remove neurotoxic amyloid beta (“Aβ”) aggregates in the brain by phagocytosis. CHF-5074 reduces Aβ42 and Aβ40 secretion, with an IC50 of 3.6 and 18.4 μM, respectively. Microglia are small cells that migrate through the brain to remove waste products, such as amyloid aggregates that cause inflammation and irreversible damage to nerve cells. Chronic dysfunction of microglia is increasingly believed to play an important role at the very beginnings of Alzheimer’s disease. The results from Chiesi’s human clinical studies corroborate the large body of data from published preclinical studies. In Alzheimer’s disease transgenic mouse models, CHF-5074 was shown to reduce neuroinflammation, inhibit brain amyloid β plaque deposits, reduce tau pathology, and reverse associated memory deficits. These findings indicate CHF-5074 acts simultaneously on several important therapeutic targets, and this neuroprotective multi-target approach may translate into preventing the memory loss that is the hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.

Nolomirole (CHF1035) is an orally active, selective dopamine agonist, primarily activating DA2- and alpha2 receptors, thereby inhibiting norepinephrine release, which may be beneficial in heart failure. Nolomirole is able to attenuate the heart failure signs in the monocrotaline-induced congestive heart failure. CHF1035 is a mixture of two enantiomers, CHF1800 (+) and CHF1810 (-). CHF1035 and its metabolite CHF1024 significantly decreased the IOP in rabbits, and are potential novel IOP lowering agents. Especially, CHF1035 produced a substantial decrease in IOP for a prolonged period of time, and thus may prove useful in glaucoma therapy. Nolomirole is a pre-synaptic stimulator of DA2-dopaminergic and α2-adrenergic receptors in peripheral sympathetic nerve endings. These receptors act as a negative feedback mechanism, inhibiting norepinephrine secretion. In early phase clinical studies lasting 1–3 months, nolomirole reduced peripheral systemic resistance and 24 hour blood pressure and increased cardiac output. In a study of 29 patients with heart failure, followed for 10 days, a reduction in plasma norepinephrine was demonstrated. In spite of the fact that Nolomirole was in clinical trials for the treatment of heart failure, its development was discontinued.

Terestigmine (also known as CHF-2060), a cholinesterase inhibitor, was developed for the treatment of cognition disorders in Italy. However, this study was discontinued.

Nolomirole (CHF1035) is an orally active, selective dopamine agonist, primarily activating DA2- and alpha2 receptors, thereby inhibiting norepinephrine release, which may be beneficial in heart failure. Nolomirole is able to attenuate the heart failure signs in the monocrotaline-induced congestive heart failure. CHF1035 is a mixture of two enantiomers, CHF1800 (+) and CHF1810 (-). CHF1035 and its metabolite CHF1024 significantly decreased the IOP in rabbits, and are potential novel IOP lowering agents. Especially, CHF1035 produced a substantial decrease in IOP for a prolonged period of time, and thus may prove useful in glaucoma therapy. Nolomirole is a pre-synaptic stimulator of DA2-dopaminergic and α2-adrenergic receptors in peripheral sympathetic nerve endings. These receptors act as a negative feedback mechanism, inhibiting norepinephrine secretion. In early phase clinical studies lasting 1–3 months, nolomirole reduced peripheral systemic resistance and 24 hour blood pressure and increased cardiac output. In a study of 29 patients with heart failure, followed for 10 days, a reduction in plasma norepinephrine was demonstrated. In spite of the fact that Nolomirole was in clinical trials for the treatment of heart failure, its development was discontinued.