Flunitrazepam is an intermediate-acting benzodiazepine with general properties similar to those of diazepam. It is generally intended to be for short-term treatment for chronic or severe insomniacs who are unresponsive to other hypnotics. The main pharmacological effects of Flunitrazepam are the enhancement of GABA at the GABAA receptor. The physical effects of Flunitrazepam include sedation, muscle relaxation, decreased anxiety, and prevention of convulsions. It causes partial amnesia; individuals are unable to remember certain events that they experience while under the influence of the drug. Chronic use of Flunitrazepam can result in physical dependence and the appearance of a withdrawal syndrome when the drug is discontinued. Flunitrazepam impairs cognitive and psychomotor functions affecting reaction time and driving skill. The use of this drug in combination with alcohol is a particular concern as both central nervous system depressants potentiate each other's toxicity.

Agomelatine behaves both as a potent agonist at melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and as a neutral antagonist at 5-HT2C receptors. Accumulating evidence in a broad range of experimental procedures supports the notion that the psychotropic effects of agomelatine are due to the synergy between its melatonergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic effects. Agomelatine is indicated for the treatment of major depressive episodes.

Agomelatine behaves both as a potent agonist at melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and as a neutral antagonist at 5-HT2C receptors. Accumulating evidence in a broad range of experimental procedures supports the notion that the psychotropic effects of agomelatine are due to the synergy between its melatonergic and 5-hydroxytryptaminergic effects. Agomelatine is indicated for the treatment of major depressive episodes.

Ripasudil (K-115) is a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. This compound, which was originally discovered by D. Western Therapeutics Institute, Inc., reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) by directly acting on the trabecular meshwork, thereby increasing conventional outflow through the Schlemm's canal. As a result of this mechanism of action, ripasudil may offer additive effects in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension when used in combination with agents such as prostaglandin analogues (which increase uveoscleral outflow) and β blockers (which reduce aqueous production). GLANATEC® (Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate) ophthalmic solution 0.4% is launched in Japan for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Ripasudil (K-115) is a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. This compound, which was originally discovered by D. Western Therapeutics Institute, Inc., reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) by directly acting on the trabecular meshwork, thereby increasing conventional outflow through the Schlemm's canal. As a result of this mechanism of action, ripasudil may offer additive effects in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension when used in combination with agents such as prostaglandin analogues (which increase uveoscleral outflow) and β blockers (which reduce aqueous production). GLANATEC® (Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate) ophthalmic solution 0.4% is launched in Japan for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Icotinib is an orally available quinazoline-based inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor. It selectively inhibits the wild-type and several mutated forms of EGFR tyrosine kinase. The major organ of icotinib metabolism is the liver, with the primarily enzymes being CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 from the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system. Icotinib Hydrochloride was approved for the treatment of patients with advanced stage Nonsmall cell lung cancer by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China. The major drug related adverse reactions of the traditional cytotoxic agents include rash, diarrhea, severe bone marrow suppression, neuropathy, hair loss, and gastrointestinal reactions. Icotinib is under investigation as an active agent against other EGFR mutation-positive cancers, like lung adenocarcinoma, oesophageal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and others.

Naphthoquine is an antimalarial drug first synthesized in China in 1986 but which was not developed for clinical use until the late 1990s. This drug now is used in combination for treatment of Plasmodium Falciparum and Malaria. The use of anti-malarial drug combinations with artemisinin or with one of its derivatives is now widely recommended to overcome drug resistance in falciparum as well as vivax malaria. The fixed oral dose artemisinin-naphthoquine combination (ANQ, ARCO™) is a newer artemisinin-based combination (ACT) therapy undergoing clinical assessment.

Acotiamide (Acofide(®)), an oral first-in-class prokinetic drug, is under global development by Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Astellas Pharma Inc. for the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia. The drug modulates upper gastrointestinal motility to alleviate abdominal symptoms resulting from hypomotility and delayed gastric emptying. It exerts its activity in the stomach via muscarinic receptor inhibition, resulting in enhanced acetylcholine release and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Acofide® is launched in Japan for treating functional dyspepsia.

Rimonabant (also known as SR141716; trade names Acomplia, Zimulti) was an anorectic antiobesity drug that was first approved in Europe in 2006 but was withdrawn worldwide in 2008 due to serious psychiatric side effects. Rimonabant is an inverse agonist for the cannabinoid receptor CB1 and was the first drug approved in that class. There is considerable evidence that the endocannabinoid (endogenous cannabinoid) system plays a significant role in appetitive drive and associated behaviors. It is, therefore, reasonable to hypothesize that the attenuation of the activity of this system would have therapeutic benefit in treating disorders that might have a component of excess appetitive drive or over-activity of the endocannabinoid system, such as obesity, ethanol and other drug abuse, and a variety of central nervous system and other disorders. Data from clinical trials submitted to regulatory authorities showed that rimonabant caused depressive disorders or mood alterations in up to 10% of subjects and suicidal ideation in around 1%, and in Europe, it was contraindicated for people with any psychiatric disorder, including depressed or suicidal people. Additionally, nausea and upper respiratory tract infections were very common (occurring in more than 10% of people) adverse effects; common adverse effects (occurring in between 1% and 10% of people) included gastroenteritis, anxiety, irritability, insomnia and other sleep disorders, hot flushes, diarrhea, vomiting, dry or itchy skin, tendonitis, muscle cramps and spasms, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, and increased risk of falling.

Acotiamide (Acofide(®)), an oral first-in-class prokinetic drug, is under global development by Zeria Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd and Astellas Pharma Inc. for the treatment of patients with functional dyspepsia. The drug modulates upper gastrointestinal motility to alleviate abdominal symptoms resulting from hypomotility and delayed gastric emptying. It exerts its activity in the stomach via muscarinic receptor inhibition, resulting in enhanced acetylcholine release and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity. Acofide® is launched in Japan for treating functional dyspepsia.