Artefenomel, a novel trioxolane, is a lead candidate for inclusion in a new antimalarial combination, specifically formulated for children. Artefenomel has been demonstrated curative in as little as one dose.

Raxatrigine also known as GSK1014802 and CNV-1014802, is a novel analgesic under development by Convergence Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of lumbosacral radiculopathy (sciatica) and trigeminal neuralgia (TGN). It is a novel state dependent small molecule sodium channel blocker that preferentially inhibits the Nav 1.7 ion channel, a therapeutic target implicated by genetics in human pain conditions. Raxatrigine is thought to penetrate the central nervous system and block Nav channels in a novel manner. CNV1014802 was granted orphan drug designation in 2013 by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia.

Andrographolide, a diterpenoid, is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. It can be isolated from various plants of the genus Andrographis, commonly known as 'creat'. Andrographolide has been tested for its anti-inflammatory effects in various stressful conditions, such as ischemia, pyrogenesis, arthritis, hepatic or neural toxicity, carcinoma, and oxidative stress. Apart from its anti-inflammatory effects, andrographolide also exhibits immunomodulatory effects by effectively enhancing cytotoxic T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, phagocytosis, and antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). The properties of andrographolide, such as its ability to induce apoptosis of cancer cells and inhibition of DTH, its anti-oxidative and cytoprotective effect, and its ability to enhance CTLs and NK cell activation makes it a potent antiviral agent. Andrographolide inhibited the growth of human breast, prostate, and hepatoma tumors. Andrographolide could be a potent anticancer agent when used in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.

Perzinfotel (EAA-090) is a novel squaric acid amide derivative that has been identified as a potential treatment for ischemic brain damage resulting from stroke. EAA-090 is a competitive inhibitor at the NMDA-selective subtype of the glutamate receptor. The compound demonstrates potent inhibitory activity in both in vitro and in vivo models of NMDA-induced excitotoxicity and provides neuroprotective efficacy in several animal models of stroke. EAA-090 is unique among competitive NMDA antagonists in displaying a clear separation between predicted efficacious dose and doses that induce PCP-like psychotomimetic side effects in both animals and humans. This unique profile makes EAA-090 an exciting candidate for assessing the neuroprotective potential of the competitive NMDA mechanism.

Pumosetrag is a novel, orally active and selective 5-HT 3 agonist. It is a partial agonist in rats and guinea-pig and a full agonist in the mouse, suggesting important species differences in 5-HT3 receptor structure. Pumosetrag had been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome. No serious adverse events were reported. Diarrhea was not more common on the drug and only one subject experienced pruritus. All researches on this drug candidate are discontinued.

Zosuquidar (LY-335979) is an experimental antineoplastic drug. It is is a potent modulator of P-glycoprotein-mediated multi-drug resistance with Ki of 60 nM. Zosuqidar was initially characterized by Syntex Corporation, which was acquired by Roche in 1990. Roche licensed the drug to Eli Lilly in 1997. It was granted orphan drug status by the FDA in 2006 for AML. Zosuquidar Trihydrochloride had been in phase III clinical trials by Kanisa Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia. However, this research has been discontinued.

Brivanib is a pyrrolotriazine-based compound and an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with potential antineoplastic activity. It specifically targets and strongly binds to human VEGFR-2, a tyrosine kinase receptor and pro-angiogenic growth factor expressed almost exclusively on vascular endothelial cells. Blockade of VEGFR-2 by this agent may lead to an inhibition of VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration and proliferation, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Brivanib has a moderate potency compared to VEGFR-2 against VEGFR-1 and FGFR-1 as well. Brivanib is suggested to be efficient in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As first-line and as second-line therapy brivanib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced, unresectable HCC in phase II clinical trials. On 3 march 2011, orphan designation was granted by the European Commission to Bristol-Myers Squibb for brivanib alaninate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.[

DOV 216,303 [(+/-)-1-(3, 4-dichlorophenyl)-3-azabicyclo-[3.1.0] hexane hydrochloride] is the prototype of a class of compounds referred to as "triple" reuptake inhibitors. DOV 216,303 were licensed from Wyeth in 1998. This compound inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA), the three neurotransmitters most closely linked to major depressive disorder. In August 2004, DOV entered into a development and commercialization partnership for the triple reuptake inhibitors (DOV 21,947 and DOV 216,303) with Merck for depression.

Dasotraline, also known as SEP-225,289, is a serotonin-norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor (SNDRI). It has an extended half-life (47-77 hours) that supports the potential for plasma concentrations yielding a continuous therapeutic effect over the 24-hour dosing interval at steady state. Dasotraline has shown a lower potential for abuse than methylphenidate in clinical testing. Dasotraline was discovered by Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc. and is currently in development to evaluate its use in treating ADHD in adults and children, and BED in adults in the United States. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of ADHD, BED or any other disorder.

Shikonin is a major naphthoquinone compound found in the roots of Lithospermum erythrorhizon and exhibits powerful anticancer activities for various cancer cells. Shikonin and its derivatives are characterized by a wide spectrum of antibacterial activities: high antibacterial activity towards Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus et al.), a stable fungicidal effect towards Candida and Trichosporon fungi. Shikonin normalizes the production of the key mediators of inflammation IL-1 and IL-2, IFN-γ, reduces vascular permeability in the focus of inflammation, exhibiting a marked anti-inflammatory effect. Combined therapy with applications of a bio-polymeric film with shikonin and its esters (naphthoquinone derivatives) led to an obvious improvement of the clinical parameters and reduced the morphological signs of the buccal mucosal lesions. The drug was well tolerated by all patients and no side effects were recorded. Shikonin, as a naturally occurring, low-molecular-weight pan-chemokine receptor inhibitor, constitutes a basis for the development of novel anti-HIV therapeutic agents.