Quizartinib (AC220) is an orally bioavailable, small molecule receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that is being developed by Daiichi Sankyo Company (previously Ambit Biosciences) and Astellas Pharma as a treatment for acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and advanced solid tumours. The highest affinity target identified for Quizartinib was FLT3. The only other kinases with binding constants within 10-fold that for FLT3 were the closely related receptor tyrosine kinases KIT, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, RET, and CSF1R. Kinase inhibition of (mutant) KIT, PDGFR and FLT3 isoforms by quizartinib leads to potent inhibition of cellular proliferation and induction of apoptosis in in vitro leukemia models as well as in native leukemia blasts treated ex vivo.

Leniolisib (JOENJA®) is an oral selective phosphoinositide 3-kinase-delta (PI3Kdelta) inhibitor being developed by Pharming Group NV in-licensed from Novartis for the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders. Leniolisib inhibits PI3K-delta by blocking the active binding site of PI3K-delta. In cell-free isolated enzyme assays, leniolisib was selective for PI3K-delta over PI3K-alpha (28-fold), PI3K-beta (43-fold), and PI3K-gamma (257-fold), as well as the broader kinome. In cell-based assays, leniolisib reduced pAKT pathway activity and inhibited proliferation and activation of B and T cell subsets. Gain-of-function variants in the gene encoding the p110-delta catalytic subunit or loss of function variants in the gene encoding the p85-alpha regulatory subunit each cause hyperactivity of PI3K-delta. Leniolisib inhibits the signalling pathways that lead to increased production of PIP3, hyperactivity of the downstream mTOR/AKT pathway, and to the dysregulation of B and T cells. In March 2023, leniolisib received its first approval for the treatment of activated PI3Kdelta syndrome (APDS) in adult and paediatric patients 12 years of age and older. Leniolisib is also under regulatory review in European Union for the treatment of APDS. Development of leniolisib for the treatment of Sjögren's syndrome has been discontinued.

Adagrasib (KRAZATI™) is an orally available, potent, small molecule inhibitor of KRAS G12C mutant isoform being developed by Mirati Therapeutics for the treatment of solid tumours harbouring KRAS G12C oncogenic driver mutation, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer (CRC). Adagrasib is an irreversible inhibitor of KRAS G12C that covalently binds to the mutant cysteine in KRAS G12C and locks the mutant KRAS protein in its inactive state that prevents downstream signaling without affecting wild-type KRAS protein. Adagrasib inhibits tumor cell growth and viability in cells harboring KRAS G12C mutations and results in tumor regression in KRAS G12C-mutated tumor xenograft models with minimal off-target activity. In December 2022, adagrasib received its first approval in the USA for the treatment of adults with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC (as determined by an FDA approved test) who have received ≥ 1 prior systemic therapy. It was approved under accelerated approval based on objective response rate and duration of response, and its continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of a clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). The drug is under regulatory review for NSCLC in the European Union and is in development for CRC in the US. Clinical studies of adagrasib in solid tumours, including CRC, are underway in several countries.

Mitapivat (AG-348; PKM2 activator 1020) is a novel, first-in-class oral small molecule allosteric activator of the pyruvate kinase enzyme. Mitapivat has been shown to significantly upregulate both wild-type and numerous mutant forms of erythrocyte pyruvate kinase (PKR), increasing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production and reducing levels of 2,3-diphosphoglycerate. Given this mechanism, mitapivat has been evaluated in clinical trials in a wide range of hereditary hemolytic anemias, including pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), sickle cell disease, and the thalassemias. Mitapivat was approved for the treatment of hemolytic anemia in adults with pyruvate kinase (PK) deficiency in the United States in February 2022, and in the European Union in November 2022.

Oteseconazole (VIVJOA™) is an orally administered azole antifungal agent developed by Mycovia Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of fungal infections. It inhibits cytochrome P450 (CYP) 51, thereby affecting the formation and integrity of the fungal cell membrane, but has a low affinity for human CYP enzymes due to its tetrazole metal-binding group. Oteseconazole is the first agent to be approved (in April 2022) for recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis (RVVC) in the USA, where it is indicated to reduce the incidence of RVVC in females with a history of RVVC who are NOT of reproductive potential. Clinical development for the treatment of onychomycosis, and invasive and opportunistic infections is ongoing.

Ponesimod is an experimental drug for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) graft-versus-host disease and psoriasis. It acts on certain types of white blood cells (lymphocytes) which are involved in the autoimmune attack on myelin seen in multiple sclerosis (MS). Ponesimod is an orally active, reversible, and selective sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR1) modulator. The drug is in phase II clinical trial for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease. In addition, the phase III clinical trial comparing ponesimod to teriflunomide in relapsing-remitting MS is ongoing.

Voclosporin (Lupkynis™) is an oral calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant that is being developed by Aurinia Pharmaceuticals. Voclosporin is an analogue of cyclosporine with a modification at the amino acid-1 position. The drug has been designed to show improved potency against calcineurin inhibition and better metabolic stability than cyclosporine. Although the exact mechanism of voclosporin is not yet clear, it inhibits calcineurin, thereby blocking lymphocyte proliferation and T-cell mediated immune responses, as well as increasing podocyte integrity in the kidney. In January 2021, based on positive results from the pivotal phases II and III trials, oral voclosporin received its first approval in the USA for use in combination with a background immunosuppressive therapy regimen for adults with active lupus nephritis. Voclosporin is also being explored for the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in kidney transplant recipients. Clinical evaluation of voclosporin for plaque psoriasis, coronary artery restenosis and rheumatoid arthritis has been discontinued and no recent development for prevention of renal transplant rejection has been identified since 2015.

Ibrexafungerp (BREXAFEMME®) is an orally active triterpenoid antifungal drug being developed by SCYNEXIS, Inc. for the treatment of fungal infections. The inhibition of β-1,3-D glucan synthetase by ibrexafungerp compromises the integrity of fungal cell walls. Ibrexafungerp has been recently approved for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), and it is the first novel antifungal drug class to be approved in more than 20 years. Food and Drug Administration's decision was based on positive results from two pivotal phase III studies in which oral ibrexafungerp proved both safe and effective in patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis. Development for the treatment of recurrent VVC and invasive fungal infections is ongoing.

Finerenone (Kerendia®), a first-in-class, orally administered, selective, nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), is being developed by Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) and heart failure (HF), including chronic HF (CHF). Finerenone blocks MR mediated sodium reabsorption and MR overactivation in both epithelial (e.g., kidney) and nonepithelial (e.g., heart, and blood vessels) tissues. MR overactivation is thought to contribute to fibrosis and inflammation. Finerenone has a high potency and selectivity for the MR and has no relevant affinity for androgen, progesterone, estrogen, and glucocorticoid receptors. Finerenone has been approved in the USA to reduce the risk of sustained estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) decline, end stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), and hospitalization for HF in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD) associated with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Finerenone is undergoing regulatory assessment in the EU and in China. A phase III trial is investigating finerenone in patients who have HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Samidorphan, which was developed by Alkermes, is an opioid receptor antagonist that has been co-formulated with olanzapine into a single-dose oral tablet to mitigate the risk of weight gain while providing the therapeutic effect of olanzapine. In June 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Lybalvi (olanzapine/samidorphan) for indications including treatment of adults with schizophrenia and/or bipolar I disorder (acute manic episodes or acute episodes with mixed features).