Momelotinib (CYT387) is an ATP-competitive small molecule that potently inhibits JAK1/JAK2 kinases. Momelotinib is developing by Gilead Sciences for the oral treatment of pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancers, and myeloproliferative disorders (including myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythaemia and polycythaemia vera).

Daprodustat (GSK1278863) is a low nanomolar hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) prolyl hydroxylase (PHD) inhibitor, that increases HIF stability and action. In preclinical studies, Daprodustat stabilizes HIFα in cell lines, resulting in the production of increased levels of erythropoietin (EPO). In normal mice, a single dose of Daprodustat induced significant increases in circulating plasma EPO but only minimal increases in plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) concentrations. Daprodustat significantly increased reticulocytes and red cell mass parameters in pre-clinical species following once-daily oral administration and has demonstrated an acceptable nonclinical toxicity profile supporting continued clinical development. In a phase 1 study, Daprodustat was well tolerated and increased erythropoietin (EPO) levels in apparently healthy individuals proportional to dose. In phase 2a studies in non–dialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease (NDD CKD) and end-stage renal disease Daprodustat 4-10 mg once-daily produced the dose-dependent increase in hemoglobin relative to placebo. The Phase III programme for the drug includes two studies evaluating its safety and efficacy compared to recombinant human erythropoietin in dialysis-dependent subjects with anemia associated with CKD (ASCEND-D) and in non-dialysis dependent patients with the condition (ASCEND-ND).

Fruquintinib is a highly selective small molecule drug candidate that has been shown to inhibit VEGFR 24 hours a day via an oral dose, with lower off-target toxicities compared to other targeted therapies. Mechanistically, Fruquintinib selectively blocks VEGF-mediated receptor autophosphorylation, thus inhibiting endothelial cell proliferation and migration. In preclinical in vitro studies using a 32P-ATP assay, Fruquintinib selectively inhibited the tyrosine kinase activity associated with VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and VEGFR-3 at concentrations in the nanomolar range, but showed little inhibition against a panel of 254 kinases related to cell cycle or cell proliferation, including cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK1, 2, 5), the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β (PDGFRβ) kinase. In cellular assays, Fruquintinib potently inhibited VEGF-stimulated VEGFR phosphorylation and proliferation in human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Fruquintinib demonstrated potent antiangiogenic effect and anti-tumor activity in xenograft models of colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC; NCI-H460), renal clear cell carcinoma (Caki-1), and gastric carcinoma (BGC823) in mice treated for 3 weeks. Fruquintinib is currently under joint development in China by Chi-Med and its partner Eli Lilly and Company (“Lilly”). Chi-Med and Lilly jointly announced top-line results from the FRESCO CRC trial on March 3, 2017. In addition, Fruquintinib is being studied in China in Phase III pivotal trial in non-small cell lung cancer (“NSCLC”), known as FALUCA; and a Phase II study using Fruquintinib combined with Iressa® (gefitinib) in the first-line setting for patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC.

Bexagliflozin, also known as EGT1442, is a potent and selective SGLT2 inhibitor. Bexagliflozin is under investigation for the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Bexagliflozin has been investigated for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus and Type2 Diabetes Mellitus. Clinical studies have established that bexagliflozin significantly reduces blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin in subjects with diabetes. Treatment with bexagliflozin also induces weight loss and a reduction in systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Amisulpride, a benzamide derivative, shows a unique therapeutic profile being atypical antipsychotic. At low doses, it enhances dopaminergic neurotransmission by preferentially blocking presynaptic dopamine D2/D3 autoreceptors. At higher doses, amisupride antagonises postsynaptic dopamine D2 and D3 receptors, preferentially in the limbic system rather than the striatum, thereby reducing dopaminergic transmission. In addition its antagonism at serotonin 5-HT7 receptors likely underlies the antidepressant actions. Amisulpride is approved for clinical use in treating schizophrenia in a number of European countries and also for treating dysthymia, a mild form of depression, in Italy.

Temsavir (BMS-626529) is an attachment inhibitor (AI) in clinical development (administered as prodrug BMS-663068) that binds to HIV-1 gp120. Temsavir displays in vitro activity against HIV-1 envelopes with C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5-), C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4), and dual tropism. It also is active against almost all HIV-1 subtypes tested except for subtype CRF01-AE and possibly group O. Temsavir can inhibit both CD4-induced and CD4-independent formation of the "open state" four-stranded gp120 bridging sheet, and the subsequent formation and exposure of the chemokine co-receptor binding site. This unique mechanism of action prevents the initial interaction of HIV-1 with the host CD4+ T cell, and subsequent HIV-1 binding and entry. Temsavir is administered as a phosphonooxymethyl ester prodrug (BMS-663068), which was developed to improve the solubility and dissolution of Temsavir. Temsavir is currently being investigated clinically through the use of the prodrug BMS-663068, and a Phase III study of BMS-663068 in HIV-1-infected treatment-experienced subjects is ongoing (NCT02362503).

TUCATINIB (ONT-380 or ARRY-380) is an orally active, reversible and selective small-molecule HER2 inhibitor invented by Array and licensed to Cascadian Therapeutics (previously named Oncothyreon) for development, manufacturing and commercialization. HER2, a growth factor receptor that is over-expressed in multiple cancers, including breast, ovarian, and stomach cancer. HER2 mediates cell growth, differentiation and survival, and tumors that overexpress HER2 are more aggressive and historically have been associated with poorer overall survival compared with HER2-negative cancers. ONT-380 is highly active as a single agent and in combination with both chemotherapy and Herceptin® (trastuzumab) in xenograft models of HER2+ breast cancer, including models of CNS metastases that were refractory to Tykerb® (lapatinib) or neratinib treatment. In a Phase 1 single agent clinical study, ONT-380 administered orally twice a day was well tolerated and demonstrated anti-tumor activity in heavily pre-treated HER2+ breast cancer patients with metastatic disease. Based on the strength of these preclinical and clinical trials, ONT-380 is advancing in one Phase 2 and three Phase 1b combination trials in patients with metastatic breast cancer. A second study reported the CNS activity of ONT-380 in combination with either T-DM1 or trastuzumab or capecitabine. Patients with brain metastases assessable for response were included in the combined analysis. Responses and clinical benefit in the CNS were reported with the three combinations tested, supporting future development of the drug for this particular indication.

Ozanimod (previously known as RPC-1063) is a selective immune-inflammatory modulator of the G protein-coupled receptors sphingosine 1-phosphate 1 and 5, which are part of the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) receptor family. Treatment with S1P receptor modulators interferes with S1P signaling and blocks the response of lymphocytes (a type of white blood cell) to exit signals from the lymph nodes, sequestering them within the nodes. The result is a downward modulation of circulating lymphocytes and anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting cell migration to sites of inflammation. Ozanimod is currently in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of relapsing multiple sclerosis (RMS) and ulcerative colitis, and also in phase II clinical trials to determine whether it is effective in the treatment of Crohn's disease.

Istradefylline is a first-in-class adenosine A2A receptor antagonist antiparkinsonian agent and has been marketed as the brand name NOURIAST® in Japan since May 30, 2013. NOURIAST is indicated for the improvement of wearing-off phenomena in patients with Parkinson’s disease on concomitant treatment with levodopa-containing products.

Lumateperone (ITI-722/ITI-007) is a dual 5HT2A receptor antagonist/dopamine phosphoprotein modulator (DPPM) for the treatment of schizophrenia. It is an orally available compound which combines potent 5HT2A receptor antagonism with cell-type-specific modulation of phosphoprotein pathways downstream of dopamine receptors. Lumateperone was developed by Intra-Cellular Therapies, Inc., and is being evaluated for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar depression. In 3 efficacy studies in patients with acute schizophrenia, lumateperone was well-tolerated with a favorable safety profile, and in 2 studies of 3 demonstrated significantly superior efficacy over placebo.