Prucalopride is a novel enterokinetic compound and is the first representative of the benzofuran class. Prucalopride is a potent, selective and specific serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4-R) agonist. Prucalopride (Resolor®), a highly selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist, is indicated in the European Economic Area for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in whom laxatives have failed to provide adequate relief.

Lofexidine is newly FDA approved in the United States under the brand name LUCEMYRA for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms in adults. Lofexidine acts as an agonist to α2 adrenergic receptors. These receptors inhibit adenylyl cyclase activity, leading to the inhibition of the second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). The inhibition of cAMP leads to potassium efflux through calcium-activated channels, blocking calcium ions from entering the nerve terminal, resulting in suppression of neural firing, inhibition of norepinephrine release. Lofexidine replaces the opioid-driven inhibition of cAMP production and moderating the symptoms of opioid withdrawal.

Segesterone acetate (elcometrine), a progestin, is sold in combination with ethinyl estradiol under the brand name Annovera. Annovera is indicated for use by females of reproductive potential to prevent pregnancy. Segesterone acetate acts as an agonist of the progesterone receptor and it doesn’t possess estrogenic, androgenic, antiandrogenic, or antimineralocorticoid activity.

Safinamide (FCE 26743, NW 1015, PNU 151774, PNU 151774E, trade name Xadago) combines potent, selective, and reversible inhibition of MAO-B with blockade of voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels and inhibition of glutamate release. Safinamide is under development with Newron, Zambon and Meiji Seika Pharma for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Safinamide has been launched in the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Safinamide was well tolerated and safe in the clinical development program that demonstrated the amelioration of motor symptoms and OFF phenomena by safinamide when combined with dopamine agonists or levodopa.

Etelcalcetide (formerly velcalcetide, trade name Parsabiv) is a calcimimetic drug for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Etelcalcetide was approved (trade name Parsabiv) for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism (HPT) in adult patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) on hemodialysis in February, 2017. Etelcalcetide is a synthetic peptide calcium-sensing receptor agonist. It allosterically modulates the calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR). Etelcalcetide binds to the CaSR and enhances activation of the receptor by extracellular calcium. Activation of the CaSR on parathyroid chief cells decreases PTH secretion.

Naldemedine (Symproic) is an opioid antagonist indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Naldemedine is an opioid antagonist with binding affinities for mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors. Naldemedine functions as a peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist in tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, thereby decreasing the constipating effects of opioids. Naldemedine is a derivative of naltrexone to which a side chain has been added that increases the molecular weight and the polar surface area, thereby reducing its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Naldemedine is also a substrate of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter. Based on these properties, the CNS penetration of naldemedine is expected to be negligible at the recommended dose levels, limiting the potential for interference with centrally-mediated opioid analgesia. Naldemedine was approved in 2017 in both the US and Japan for the treatment of Opioid-induced Constipation.

Safinamide (FCE 26743, NW 1015, PNU 151774, PNU 151774E, trade name Xadago) combines potent, selective, and reversible inhibition of MAO-B with blockade of voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels and inhibition of glutamate release. Safinamide is under development with Newron, Zambon and Meiji Seika Pharma for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Safinamide has been launched in the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Safinamide was well tolerated and safe in the clinical development program that demonstrated the amelioration of motor symptoms and OFF phenomena by safinamide when combined with dopamine agonists or levodopa.

Delafloxacin (CAS registry number 189279-58-1) was described as WQ-3034 by Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka & Hiroshima, Japan. It was first licensed in 1999 to Abbott Park, IL, and further developed as ABT-492. Delafloxacin (Baxdela), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is currently being developed by Melinta Therapeutics. It is a novel investigational fluoroquinolone in development for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea, and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Delafloxacin shows MICs remarkably low against Gram-positive organisms and anaerobes and similar to those of ciprofloxacin against Gram-negative bacteria. It remains active against most fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, except enterococci. Its potency is further increased in acidic environments (found in many infection sites). Delafloxacin is active on staphylococci growing intracellularly or in biofilms. Delafloxacin is a dual-targeting fluoroquinolone, capable of forming cleavable complexes with DNA and topoisomerase IV or DNA gyrase and of inhibiting the activity of these enzymes in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. On Oct 24, 2016, Melinta Therapeutics Submitted Baxdela New Drug Application for hospital-treated skin infections.

Ivabradine (CORLANOR®) is a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker that reduces the spontaneous pacemaker activity of the cardiac sinus node by selectively inhibiting the If-current, resulting in heart rate reduction at concentrations that do not affect other cardiac ionic currents. Specific heart-rate lowering with ivabradine (CORLANOR®) reduces myocardial oxygen demand, simultaneously improving oxygen supply. It has no negative inotropic or lusitropic effects, preserving ventricular contractility, and does not change any major electrophysiological parameters unrelated to heart rate.

Ivabradine (CORLANOR®) is a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker that reduces the spontaneous pacemaker activity of the cardiac sinus node by selectively inhibiting the If-current, resulting in heart rate reduction at concentrations that do not affect other cardiac ionic currents. Specific heart-rate lowering with ivabradine (CORLANOR®) reduces myocardial oxygen demand, simultaneously improving oxygen supply. It has no negative inotropic or lusitropic effects, preserving ventricular contractility, and does not change any major electrophysiological parameters unrelated to heart rate.