Buparlisib (NVP-BKM12), a dimorpholino pyrimidine derivative, is a selective pan class I phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) inhibitor for treating cancer. It penetrates the blood-brain barrier and has a potential as a glioma treatment. NVP-BKM120 inhibits PI3K activity by binding to the ATP binding cleft of this enzymes and was tested against class I PI3K and other kinases using an ATP depletion (Kinase-Glo) assay. The compound was shown to be active against P110 α, β, γ and δ. The inhibition of the PI3K signaling pathways leads to different forms of cell death on the basis of p53 statuses. Buparlisib demonstrated its activity in human glioblastoma (GBM) cells in vitro and in vivo and is in clinical trials for solid tumors including GBM.

MPEP (2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)pyridine) was one of the first compounds found to act a selective antagonist for the metabotropic glutamate receptor subtype mGluR5. It was under development by Novartis in the late 1990's. MPEP was found to produce neuroprotective effects following acute brain injury in animals. MPEP was also found to have positive effects on animal models of depression, anxiety and morphine withdrawl.

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.

Savoxepine (also known as cipazoxapine), a tetracyclic compound, possesses a potent neuroleptic-like effects. This compound acts via dopamine D(2)-receptor blockade. Savoxepine was studied in phase II clinical trials in Europe for the treatment of patients with psychotic disorders; however, these studied were discontinued.

Ifoxetine was developed as an unusual drug that specifically and selectively blocks the 5-HT reuptake in the brain without affecting the 5-HT uptake processes in the periphery (blood platelets). The drug was undergoing phase II clinical trials for the treatment of depression; however, the study was suspended.

Becampanel (AMP397) is an aminomethylquinoxalinedione AMPA receptor antagonist. Also, AMP397 demonstrates binding to hydroxyapatite. AMP397 has no genotoxic potential in vivo. In particular, no genotoxic metabolite is formed in mammalian cells, and, if formed by intestinal bacteria, is unable to exert any genotoxic activity in the adjacent intestinal tissue. AMP397 has a significant oral bioavailability of 22% in mice and approximately 50% in humans. It was under development for the potential treatment of status epilepticus and other types of seizures. However, this research has been discontinued. It is also being evaluated for use in the treatment of neuropathic pain and cerebrovascular ischemia.

Balicatib is a potent cathepsine K inhibitor that was developed for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. The development of Balicatib was terminated in phase II due to the occurrence of skin rashes and rarer incidences of morphea-like skin changes.

9-(N-methyl-L-isoleucine)-cyclosporin A (NIM-811, SDZ 811) is a cyclosporin A analog that is completely devoid of immunosuppressive capacity but exhibits potent and selective anti-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) activity. NIM-811 interferes at two stages of the viral replication cycle: (i) translocation of the preintegration complex to the nucleus and (ii) production of infectious virus particles. NIM-811 induces a concentration-dependent reduction of HCV RNA in the replicon cells with an IC50 of 0.66 uM at 48 h. NIM-811 blocks the mitochondrial permeability transition induced by calcium and inorganic phosphate. NIM-811 blocks cell killing and prevents in situ mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization and depolarization during tumor necrosis factor-α–induced apoptosis to cultured rat hepatocytes.Novartis discontinued development of SDZ 811 as an oral therapy for hepatitis C and HIV-1 infections.

Fluperlapine is dibenzazepine chemically and pharmacologically similar to clozapine. Fluperlapine had no cataleptogenic effect and did not inhibit the apomorphine- and d-amphetamine-induced stereotypes. Fluperlapine is fairly effective neuroleptic drug with a fast-acting antipsychotic affect. The effects in movement disorders imply that fluperlapine is less liable than traditional neuroleptics to induce acute extrapyramidal side effects and tardive dyskinesia and is particularly beneficial in the treatment of patients vulnerable to neurological side-effects. It was demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including schizophrenia, psychosis associated with Parkinson's disease and dystonia. It has the capacity for producing life-threatening agranulocytosis.

AEE-788 is an orally available anticancer agent that was being developed by Novartis. AEE-788 is a dual family epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor and antiangiogenic activity. At the enzyme level, AEE-788 inhibited EGFR and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases in the nm range (IC(50)s: EGFR 2 nm, ErbB2 6 nm, KDR 77 nm, and Flt-1 59 nm). In cells, growth factor-induced EGFR and ErbB2 phosphorylation was also efficiently inhibited (IC(50)s: 11 and 220 nm, respectively). AEE-788 demonstrated antiproliferative activity against a range of EGFR and ErbB2-overexpressing cell lines (including EGFRvIII-dependent lines) and inhibited the proliferation of epidermal growth factor- and VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These properties, combined with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, were associated with a potent antitumor activity in a number of animal models of cancer, including tumors that overexpress EGFR and or ErbB2. Oral administration of AEE-788 to tumor-bearing mice resulted in high and persistent compound levels in tumor tissue. Moreover, AEE-788 efficiently inhibited growth factor-induced EGFR and ErbB2 phosphorylation in tumors for >72 h, a phenomenon correlating with the antitumor efficacy of intermittent treatment schedules. AEE-788 has potential as an anticancer agent targeting deregulated tumor cell proliferation as well as angiogenic parameters. AEE-788 had been in phase Ⅱ clinical trials by Novartis for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. However, this research has been discontinued.