Ivacaftor (trade names KALYDECO® (ivacaftor) and ORKAMBI® (lumacaftor/ivacaftor)) is a cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator potentiator indicated for the treatment of cystic fibrosis in patients age 6 years and older who have one of the following mutations in the CFTR gene: G551D, G1244E, G1349D, G178R, G551S, S1251N, S1255P, S549N, or S549R. One such defect G551D is characterized by a dysfunctional CFTR protein on the cell surface. Although the defective protein is trafficked to the correct area, the epithelial cell surface, while there it cannot transport chloride through the channel. Ivacaftor, a CFTR potentiator, improves the transport of chloride through the ion channel by binding to the channels directly to induce a non-conventional mode of gating which in turn increases the probability that the channel is open. Ivacaftor regulates fluid flow within cells and affects the components of sweat, digestive fluids, and mucus.

Axitinib (trade name Inlyta) is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor developed by Pfizer. It has been shown to significantly inhibit growth of breast cancer in animal (xenograft) models and has shown partial responses in clinical trials with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and several other tumour types. Axitinib has been shown to inhibit receptor tyrosine kinases including vascular endothelial growth factor receptors (VEGFR)-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 at therapeutic plasma concentrations. These receptors are implicated in pathologic angiogenesis, tumor growth, and cancer progression. VEGF-mediated endothelial cell proliferation and survival were inhibited by axitinib in vitro and in mouse models. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Mirabegron (trade name Myrbetriq in the US and Betmiga in Europe) is a drug for the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). It was developed by Astellas Pharma and was approved in the United States in July 2012. Originally developed as a treatment for diabetes, the development of mirabegron was later refocused to OAB. Mirabegron is an orally bioavailable agonist of the human beta-3 adrenergic receptor (ADRB3), with muscle relaxing, neuroprotective and potential antineoplastic activities. Upon oral administration, mirabegron binds to and activates ADRB3, which leads to smooth muscle relaxation. Mirabegron also restores sympathetic stimulation in mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) niches, inhibits JAK2-mutated hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) expansion and blocks the progression of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Lack of sympathetic stimulation of the MSC and HSC niche is associated with the development of MPNs.

Perampanel (trade name Fycompa) is an antiepileptic drug developed by Eisai Co. that acts as a selective non-competitive antagonist of AMPA receptors, the major subtype of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Although the mechanism of action through which perampanel exerts its antiepileptic effect has not been fully elucidated, this agent antagonizes the AMPA subtype of the excitatory glutamate receptor found on postsynaptic neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). This antagonistic action prevents AMPA receptor activation by glutamate and results in the inhibition of neuronal excitation, repetitive neuronal firing, and the stabilization of hyper-excited neural membranes. Glutamate, the primary excitatory neurotransmitter in the CNS, plays an important role in various neurological disorders caused by neuronal hyperexcitation. The drug is currently approved, for the control of partial-onset seizures, in those of both sexes who suffer from epilepsy and who are 12 years of age and older, by the Food and Drug Administration. Perampanel is also approved for the treatment of primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in patients with epilepsy aged 12 years and older. It is designated as a Schedule III controlled substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration. Perampanel has been studied in other clinical indications including Parkinson's disease.

Aclidinium is a long-acting, competitive, and reversible anticholinergic drug that is specific for the acetylcholine muscarinic receptors. It binds to all 5 muscarinic receptor subtypes to a similar affinity. It has a much higher propensity to bind to muscarinic receptors than nicotinic receptors. FDA approved on July 24, 2012. Aclidinium's effects on the airways are mediated through the M3 receptor at the smooth muscle to cause bronchodilation. Prevention of acetylcholine-induced bronchoconstriction effects was dose-dependent and lasted longer than 24 hours.

Icatibant (trade name Firazyr) is a synthetic peptidomimetic drug consisting of ten amino acids, and acts as an effective and specific antagonist of bradykinin B2 receptors. It has been approved in the EU for use in hereditary angioedema, and is under investigation for a number of other conditions in which bradykinin is thought to play a significant role. Icatibant currently has orphan drug status in the United States and FDA approved on August 25, 2011. Icatibant inhibits bradykinin from binding the B2 receptor and thereby treats the clinical symptoms of an acute, episodic attack of HAE.

Roflumilast is a specific phosphodiesterase type (4PDE4) inhibitor indicated for use as a treatment to reduce the risk of COPD exacerbations in patients with severe COPD associated with chronic bronchitis and a history of exacerbations.

Fidaxomicin (trade names Dificid, Dificlir in Europe) is the first in a new class of narrow spectrum macrocyclic antibiotic drugs indicated for treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea. Lipiarmycin (fidaxomicin), a metabolite of Actinoplanes deccanensis nov. sp. was first isolated in pure form in 1970s and was considered as antibiotic from its chemical and physico-chemical characteristics. It demonstrated high activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including strains resistant to the medically important antibiotics and protected mice experimentally infected with Streptococcus haemolyticus. Fidaxomicin is non-systemic, meaning it is minimally absorbed into the bloodstream, it is bactericidal, and it has demonstrated selective eradication of pathogenic Clostridium difficile with minimal disruption to the multiple species of bacteria that make up the normal, healthy intestinal flora. Although the exact mechanism of action has yet to be fully elucidated, fidaxomicin may bind to and inhibit bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, thereby inhibiting the initiation of bacterial RNA synthesis. When orally administered, this agent is minimally absorbed into the systemic circulation, acting locally in the gastrointestinal tract. Fidaxomicin appears to be active against pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria, such as clostridia, enterococci, and staphylococci, but does not appear to be active against other beneficial intestinal bacteria. The maintenance of normal physiological conditions in the colon can reduce the probability of Clostridium difficile infection recurrence. It is marketed by Cubist Pharmaceuticals after acquisition of its originating company Optimer Pharmaceuticals.

Abiraterone acetate (trade name Zytiga) is a prodrug to the abiraterone, steroidal compound with antiandrogen activity and a 17 α-hydroxylase/C17,20-lyase (CYP17) inhibitor. It is indicated in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Abiraterone acetate is converted in vivo to abiraterone which inhibits CYP17, enzyme expressed in testicular, adrenal, and prostatic tumor tissues and required for androgen biosynthesis. Administration of this agent may suppress testosterone production by both the testes and the adrenals to castrate-range levels. Androgen sensitive prostatic carcinoma responds to treatment that decreases androgen levels. Androgen deprivation therapies, such as treatment with GnRH agonists or orchiectomy, decrease androgen production in the testes but do not affect androgen production by the adrenals or in the tumor.

Linagliptin is a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor discovered by Boehringer Ingelheim and being developed as an oral once-daily tablet for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. Linagliptin was first approved by FDA in 2011 under the trade name Tradjenta as an adjunct to diet and exercise to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Linagliptin binds to DPP-4 (an enzyme that degrades the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP)) in a reversible manner and thus increases the concentrations of incretin hormones. Linagliptin glucose dependently increases insulin secretion and lowers glucagon secretion, thus resulting in better regulation of glucose homeostasis. Linagliptin binds selectively to DPP-4, and selectively inhibits DPP-4 but not DPP-8 or DPP-9 activity in vitro at concentrations approximating therapeutic exposures.