Glimepiride, like glyburide and glipizide, is a "second-generation" sulfonylurea agents. Glimepiride is used with diet to lower blood glucose by increasing the secretion of insulin from pancreas and increasing the sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin. The mechanism of action of glimepiride in lowering blood glucose appears to be dependent on stimulating the release of insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells, and increasing sensitivity of peripheral tissues to insulin. Glimepiride likely binds to ATP-sensitive potassium channel receptors on the pancreatic cell surface, reducing potassium conductance and causing depolarization of the membrane. Membrane depolarization stimulates calcium ion influx through voltage-sensitive calcium channels. This increase in intracellular calcium ion concentration induces the secretion of insulin. Glimepiride is used for concomitant use with insulin for the treatment of noninsulin-dependent (type 2) diabetes mellitus. Glimepiride`s original trade name is Amaryl.

Ramipril (sold under the brand name Altace ) is a prodrug belonging to the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. It is metabolized to ramiprilat in the liver and, to a lesser extent, kidneys. Ramiprilat is a potent, competitive inhibitor of ACE, the enzyme responsible for the conversion of angiotensin I (ATI) to angiotensin II (ATII). ATII regulates blood pressure and is a key component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Ramipril is indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure; also used to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, or death from cardiovascular causes; in addition, this drug is used to reduce the rate of death, myocardial infarction and stroke in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular events.

Linopristin is a chemically modified form of quinupristin. It is an antibiotic of the streptogramin B class. It is one of the components of the antibiotic combination NXL103 (XRP 2868). NXL-103 is a combination of streptogramin A:streptogramin B components, initially developed in a 70:30 dose ratio. In multiple in vitro studies, NXL-103 demonstrated potent activity against different types of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae. In phase I clinical trials, NXL-103 achieved bactericidal levels in plasma and was generally well tolerated, with side effects primarily on the gastrointestinal system. The first phase II trial conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NXL-103 against community-acquired pneumonia revealed that the compound was comparable with amoxicillin. NXL-103 has promise to become an important agent in the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and complex skin and soft tissue infections, pending further development.

Ataciguat is a novel anthranilic acid derivative that belongs to a new structural class of sGC activators which are capable of activating the oxidized form of sGC. Ataciguat, a nitric oxide-independent soluble guanylate cyclase activator, is being developed by Sanofi (previously sanofi-aventis), in collaboration with Mayo Clinic and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. Ataciguat is in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of aortic valve stenosis. It had been used to treat neuropathic pain and peripheral arterial disease, but this research has been discontinued.

Efepristin (RPR 106972) is an oral streptogramin consisting of two synergistic components RPR 112808 (pristinamycin IB) and RPR 106950 (pristinamycin IIB). It demonstrated activity against Gram-positive microorganisms in vitro and in vivo, including those with multi-drug resistance. The streptogramins inhibit bacterial growth by disrupting the translation of mRNA into protein.

Volinanserin (MDL-100,907) is a highly selective 5-HT2A receptor antagonist. It is widely used in scientific research to investigate the function of the 5-HT2A receptor. Volinanserin is also being trialed as a potential antipsychotic, antidepressant and treatment for insomnia. Volinanserin (M-100907) was in phase III trials for chronic schizophrenia. In August 1999, development was discontinued for acute schizophrenia (schizoaffective disorder) on the basis of poor results. M-100907 is also active in animal models involving blockade of NMDA glutamatergic channel receptors, an effect known to resemble some behavioral symptoms of schizophrenia in man. M-100907 is also claimed in other patents for the treatment of thromboembolic disorders, for the treatment of various developmental neurological disorders such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Manitimus (FK778) is a synthetic malononitrilamide (MNA) that has been demonstrated to have both both immunosuppressive and anti-proliferative activities. The MNAs inhibit both T-cell and B-cell function by blocking de novo pyrimidine synthesis, through blockade of the pivotal mitochondrial enzyme dihyroorotic acid dehydrogenase, and the inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity. It directly reduced endothelial adhesion molecule up-regulation, inhibited lymphocyte activation, and attenuated lymphocyte-endothelium interactions, critical early steps in graft rejection. Manitimus has been demonstrated to prevent acute allograft rejection in multiple experimental transplant models in rodents, dogs and primates and to be effective in the rat model of chronic renal allograft rejection. It was in clinical studies for the treatment of transplant rejection. Manitimus development has been discontinued.

Eplivanserin (SR 46349) is an antagonist of serotonin 2A receptor. Eplivanserin was previously in development by Sanofi-aventis in an effort to educate the public regarding this new mechanism of action for sleep aids. Eplivanserin was reviewed by the FDA as a potential treatment for patients with chronic insomnia, but the FDA requested additional information regarding benefit-risk and development of the drug has been discontinued.

Alfuzosin, a quinazoline derivative, acts as a selective and competitive antagonist of alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of prostatic, prostatic capsule, bladder base and proximal urethral smooth muscle, thereby reducing the tone of these structures. Consequently, urethral pressure and resistance, bladder outlet resistance, bladder instability and symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia are reduced. The two enantiomers (S and R) have the same pharmacological activity as the racemate. Ligand binding and functional studies demonstrate that the alpha1-antagonist properties of alfuzosin reside equally in its two enantiomers. Racemic alfuzosin is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and adjunctive therapy in acute urinary retention.

Alfuzosin, a quinazoline derivative, acts as a selective and competitive antagonist of alpha 1-adrenoceptor-mediated contraction of prostatic, prostatic capsule, bladder base and proximal urethral smooth muscle, thereby reducing the tone of these structures. Consequently, urethral pressure and resistance, bladder outlet resistance, bladder instability and symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia are reduced. The two enantiomers (S and R) have the same pharmacological activity as the racemate. Ligand binding and functional studies demonstrate that the alpha1-antagonist properties of alfuzosin reside equally in its two enantiomers. Racemic alfuzosin is indicated for the symptomatic treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and adjunctive therapy in acute urinary retention.