Umbralisib (Ukoniq, TG Therapeutics) is an orally available PI3K delta inhibitor, targeting the delta isoform with nanomolar potency and several fold selectivity over the alpha, beta, and gamma isoforms of PI3K. The delta isoform of PI3K is strongly expressed in cells of hematopoietic origin and is believed to be important in the proliferation and survival of B-cell lymphocytes. On February 5, 2021, the Food and Drug Administration granted accelerated approval to umbralisib for the following indications: adult patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) who have received at least one prior anti-CD20-based regimen; adult patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma (FL) who have received at least three prior lines of systemic therapy. However, on June 1, 2022, the FDA withdrew its approval for the cancer medicine Ukoniq due to safety concerns.

Abametapir is a newly FDA-approved, single-application treatment for head lice in patients aged 6 months and older. Abametapir chelates heavy metal cations and inhibits metalloproteinases critical to louse ova development, hatching, and adult survival. Abametapir lotion, 0.74%, demonstrated significant ovicidal activity against head lice eggs with a single application.

GBT440 (previously GTx011) is a potent and direct drug for sickle cell treatment. In sickle cell anemia, abnormal hemoglobin molecules are formed, which causes problems for the flow of blood and oxygen through the body. GBT440 can selectively bind to hemoglobin, thereby increasing its affinity for oxygen. By inhibiting hemoglobin polymerization, it also prevents deformation of the red blood cells. GBT440, renamed Voxelotor, is thought to help prevent sickle cells blocking blood vessels, and therefore reduces pain (sickle cell crisis) experienced by patients. GBT440 is well absorbed following intravenous and oral administration, and quickly partitions into the red blood cell with a small part re‐distributed into the plasma. GBT440 was well tolerated in a randomized, placebo‐controlled, double blind, parallel group phase I/II study in healthy volunteers and sickle cell disease patients. Headache is the most reported adverse event related to the use of this drug, and no serious adverse events are known. A phase 3 clinical trial examining the efficacy and safety of the drug (compared to placebo) is planned to be completed in 2019. Voxelotor was also studied as a potential therapy for treatment of low oxygen levels in the blood of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients, but this program was discontinued because of a lack of clinical benefits.

Allopregnanolone is a neurosteroid metabolite of progesterone. It is an allosteric modulator of inhibitory γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA-A) receptors on neural stem cells and other cell types in the brain. Allopregnanolone has effects similar to those of other positive allosteric modulators of the GABA action at GABAA receptor such as the benzodiazepines, including anxiolytic, sedative, and anticonvulsant activity. A solution of allopregnanolone, SAGE-547 is an intravenous allosteric modulator of both synaptic and extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA)receptors. It's believed that allopregnanolone is effective as an anticonvulsant when prolonged seizure activity has become resistant to benzodiazepine treatment. Under the names brexanolone and SAGE-547, allopregnanolone is under development by SAGE Therapeutics as an intravenously administered drug for the treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus, postpartum depression, and essential tremor. Allopregnanolone is in phase III trials for the treatment of super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) and postpartum depression.

Rifamycin SV is a derivative of antibiotic rifamycin B (the natural fermentation product of S. mediterranei broths). The primary target of rifampicin on whole bacteria is the synthesis of RNA. Rifamycin belongs to the ansamycin class of antibacterial drugs and acts by inhibiting the beta subunit of the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking one of the steps in DNA transcription. This results in inhibition of bacterial synthesis and consequently growth of bacteria. Rifampicin exhibits bactericidal activity on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and on mycobacteria. Rifamycin SV MMX® (AEMCOLO), a non-absorbable rifamycin antibiotic formulated using the multi-matrix system, was designed to exhibit its pharmacological action on the distal small intestine and colon. AEMCOLO is indicated for the treatment of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli in adults.

Copanlisib, developed by Bayer, is a phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor with potential antineoplastic activity. Copanlisib inhibits the activation of the PI3K signaling pathway, which may result in inhibition of tumor cell growth and survival in susceptible tumor cell populations. Activation of the PI3K signaling pathway is frequently associated with tumorigenesis and dysregulated PI3K signaling may contribute to tumor resistance to a variety of antineoplastic agents. Copanlisib is currently under Phase II/III clinical trials for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Macimorelin (AEZS 130) is an orally active, small-molecule, peptidomimetic growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1A) agonist (ghrelin analogue), being developed by AEterna Zentaris for the diagnosis of adult growth hormone deficiency (AGHD; somatotropin deficiency), and for the treatment of cachexia associated with chronic disease such as AIDS and cancer. Macimorelin was approved by the FDA in December 2017 under the market name Macrilen for oral solution. Macimorelin stimulates GH release by activating growth hormone secretagogue receptors present in the pituitary and hypothalamus. Macimorelin has been granted orphan drug designation by the FDA for diagnosis of AGHD.

Ozenoxacin is an experimental quinolone antibiotic being developed for the treatment of impetigo and other dermatological bacterial infections. Ozenoxacin is active against some bacteria that have developed resistance to currently used quinolone and fluoroquinolone antibiotics. In two phase 3 studies, Ozenoxacin cream, 1%, applied topically twice daily for 5 days vs. placebo, demonstrated superiority on both clinical and bacteriological endpoints, according to the release. Superior bacteriological cure of Ozenoxacin compared to placebo was demonstrated as early as day 4. In both adults and a pediatric population aged 2 months and older, Ozenoxacin treatment was reported to be safe and well tolerated.

Daclatasvir (BMS-790052) is a direct-acting antiviral agent against Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) used for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 3 infection. Daclatasvir prevents RNA replication and virion assembly by binding to NS5A, a nonstructural phosphoprotein encoded by HCV. Binding to the N-terminus of the D1 domain of NS5A prevents its interaction with host cell proteins and membranes required for virion replication complex assembly.

Lesinurad (brand name Zurampic) is a urate transporter inhibitor for treating hyperuricemia associated with gout in patients who have not achieved target serum uric acid levels with a xanthine oxidase inhibitor alone. In gout patients, Lesinurad lowered serum uric acid levels and increased renal clearance and fractional excretion of uric acid. Following single and multiple oral doses of Lesinurad to gout patients, dose-dependent decreases in serum uric acid levels and increases in urinary uric acid excretion were observed. Lesinurad reduces serum uric acid levels by inhibiting the function of transporter proteins involved in uric acid reabsorption in the kidney. Lesinurad inhibited the function of two apical transporters responsible for uric acid reabsorption, uric acid transporter 1 (URAT1) and organic anion transporter 4 (OAT4), with IC50 values of 7.3 and 3.7 µM, respectively. URAT1 is responsible for the majority of the reabsorption of filtered uric acid from the renal tubular lumen. OAT4 is a uric acid transporter associated with diuretic-induced hyperuricemia. Lesinurad does not interact with the uric acid reabsorption transporter SLC2A9 (Glut9), located on the basolateral membrane of the proximal tubule cell. Based on in vitro studies, lesinurad is an inhibitor of OATP1B1, OCT1, OAT1, and OAT3; however, lesinurad is not an in vivo inhibitor of these transporters. In vivo drug interaction studies indicate that lesinurad does not decrease the renal clearance of furosemide (substrate of OAT1/3), or affect the exposure of atorvastatin (substrate of OATP1B1) or metformin (substrate of OCT1). Based on in vitro studies, lesinurad has no relevant effect on P-glycoprotein.