Encorafenib, also known as BRAFTOVI or LGX818, is an orally available mutated BRaf V600E inhibitor with potential antineoplastic activity, which was developed by Novartis. LGX818 possesses selective anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in cells expressing BRAFV600E. In the A375 (BRAFV600E) human melanoma cell line LGX818 suppresses phospho-ERK (EC50 = 3 nM) leading to potent inhibition of proliferation (EC50 = 4 nM). No significant activity was observed against a panel of 100 kinases (IC50 > 900 nM) and LGX818 did not inhibit proliferation of > 400 cell lines expressing wild-type BRAF. On June 27, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved encorafenib and Binimetinib (BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI, Array BioPharma Inc.) in combination for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. Encorafenib and binimetinib target two different kinases in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Compared with either drug alone, co-administration of encorafenib and binimetinib result in greater anti-proliferative activity in vitro in BRAF mutation-positive cell lines and greater anti-tumor activity with respect to tumor growth inhibition in BRAF V600E mutant human melanoma xenograft studies in mice. In addition to the above, the combination of encorafenib and binimetinib acted to delay the emergence of resistance in BRAF V600E mutant human melanoma xenografts in mice compared with the administration of either drug alone. Encorafenib is in phase III for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and in phase II for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Sarecycline (SC1401, WC3035) is a novel, once-daily, tetracycline-derived compound being developed by Paratek Pharmaceuticals and Allergan (previously Actavis) for use in the treatment of acne and rosacea. In preclinical studies, Sarecycline possesses favorable anti-inflammatory activity, plus narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity relative to other tetracycline-derived molecules. Sarecycline has been used in Phase III clinical trials studying the treatment of Acne Vulgaris. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral Sarecycline 1.5 mg/kg per day compared to placebo in treating inflammatory acne lesions in subjects with moderate to severe acne. Sarecycline was statistically significantly superior to placebo with respect to primary efficacy endpoints. The most common adverse events (>2%) reported in the sarecycline group were nausea (3.2%), nasopharyngitis (2.8%), and headache (2.8%). The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events among sarecycline-treated patients in the two studies combined was 1.4%.

Apalutamide (developmental code name ARN-509) is a selective and competitive androgen receptor inhibitor with IC50 of 16 nM, useful for prostate cancer treatment. Apalutamide binds to AR in target tissues thereby preventing androgen-induced receptor activation and facilitating the formation of inactive complexes that cannot be translocated to the nucleus. This prevents binding to and transcription of AR-responsive genes. This ultimately inhibits the expression of genes that regulate prostate cancer cell proliferation and may lead to an inhibition of cell growth in AR-expressing tumor cells. Apalutamide is currently in phase III clinical trials for castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Eravacycline, known as Xerava by Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, is a fully synthetic fluorocycline antibiotic of the tetracycline class with activity against clinically significant gram-negative, gram-positive aerobic, and facultative bacteria. This includes most of those bacteria resistant to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, multidrug-resistant strains, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and the majority of anaerobic pathogens. It was first approved by the FDA on August 27, 2018. Eravacycline disrupts bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit thus preventing the incorporation of amino acid residues into elongating peptide chains.

Lorlatinib is an investigational medicine that inhibits the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and ROS1 proto-oncogene. Lorlatinib was specifically designed to inhibit tumor mutations that drive resistance to other ALK inhibitors. Lorlatinib has in vitro activity against ALK and number of other tyrosine kinase receptor related targets including ROS1, TYK1, FER, FPS, TRKA, TRKB, TRKC, FAK, FAK2, and ACK. Lorlatinib demonstrated in vitro activity against multiple mutant forms of the ALK enzyme, including some mutations detected in tumors at the time of disease progression on crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors. Moreover, lorlatinib possesses the capability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to reach and treat progressive or worsening brain metastases as well. Lorlatinib is a third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) indicated for the treatment of patients with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed on a) the prior use of crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor for metastatic disease, or b) the prior use of alectinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease, or c) the prior use of certinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease.

Plazomicin is a novel aminoglycoside antibiotic that binds to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, thus inhibiting protein synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Plazomicin displays a broad spectrum of activity against aerobic gram-negative bacteria including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and organisms with aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. Plazomicin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is via modification of the ribosomal binding site due to expression of 16S rRNA methyltransferases. ZEMDRI (plazomicin) injection for intravenous use is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age or older with Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI) including Pyelonephritis.

PF-04449913 is a potent and selective inhibitor of the Hh signaling pathway through binding to the target, smoothened. PF-04449913 inhibits Hh signaling in vitro and has demonstrated significant antitumor activity in vivo. In the clinic, PF-04449913 is being evaluated both in hematological and solid malignancies, with a phase II trial currently underway in both fit and unfit patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) or high-risk myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Treatment-related adverse-events were nausea, dizziness, somnolence, QT prolongation and pruritus. Based on pre-clinical assessments, CYP3A4 is believed to be primarily involved in the metabolism of PF-04449913 that is why PF-04449913 plasma exposures and peak concentrations were increased following concurrent administration of ketoconazole (CYP3A4 inhibitor).

Baricitinib (trade name Olumiant) is an investigational drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), being developed by Incyte and Eli Lilly. Baricitinib is a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor with IC50 of 5.9 nM and 5.7 nM in cell-free assays. In February 2017 Baricitinib was approved for use in the European Union as a second-line therapy for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults, either alone or in combination with methotrexate. On 31 May 2018 FDA approved Barictinib for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.

Stiripentol is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy. It recently proved to increase the GABAergic transmission in vitro in an experimental model of immature rat. Clinical studies were based on the fact that STP also acts as an inhibitor of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP2C19 in vivo in epileptic patients. Side effects are largely due to the increase in plasma concentrations of other anticonvulsants and can be reduced by lowering the dose of those drugs. Nausea and vomiting are particularly noted when used in combination with sodium valproate. It appears to increase the potency of phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, clobazam and diazepam.

Omadacycline is a tetracyclin-derivative antibiotic, originated in Tufts University, and later co-developed by Merck and Paratek Pharmaceuticals. The drug was approved for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, and for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Omadacycline tosylate is available as tablets and in injectable form.