Nesbuvir (previously known as VB-19796 and HCV-796) is an inhibitor of hepatitis C NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The drug was tested in phase II in patients with hepatitis C in combination with rebetol and peg-intron, however, its development was terminated due to safety issues.

Indibulin is a novel synthetic compound that was identified in a cell-based screening assay to discover cytotoxic drugs. Indibulin destabilizes microtubules and blocks cell cycle transition specifically at the G2-M phase. Indibulin effectively induces apoptosis through Bcl-2 phosphorylation and Bax translocation in human malignant glioma cells in a p53-independent manner. This agent has been shown to be active against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and taxane-resistant tumour cell lines. Indibulin was used in phase I/II clinical trials of patients with advanced solid tumours (metastatic breast cancer). Pharmacokinetic analysis showed a better tolerability underfeeding condition. Dose-limiting toxicities were nausea and vomiting, which seemed to be related to solvent lactic acid.

Perzinfotel (EAA-090) is a novel squaric acid amide derivative that has been identified as a potential treatment for ischemic brain damage resulting from stroke. EAA-090 is a competitive inhibitor at the NMDA-selective subtype of the glutamate receptor. The compound demonstrates potent inhibitory activity in both in vitro and in vivo models of NMDA-induced excitotoxicity and provides neuroprotective efficacy in several animal models of stroke. EAA-090 is unique among competitive NMDA antagonists in displaying a clear separation between predicted efficacious dose and doses that induce PCP-like psychotomimetic side effects in both animals and humans. This unique profile makes EAA-090 an exciting candidate for assessing the neuroprotective potential of the competitive NMDA mechanism.

AEE-788 is an orally available anticancer agent that was being developed by Novartis. AEE-788 is a dual family epidermal growth factor receptor/ErbB2 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antitumor and antiangiogenic activity. At the enzyme level, AEE-788 inhibited EGFR and VEGF receptor tyrosine kinases in the nm range (IC(50)s: EGFR 2 nm, ErbB2 6 nm, KDR 77 nm, and Flt-1 59 nm). In cells, growth factor-induced EGFR and ErbB2 phosphorylation was also efficiently inhibited (IC(50)s: 11 and 220 nm, respectively). AEE-788 demonstrated antiproliferative activity against a range of EGFR and ErbB2-overexpressing cell lines (including EGFRvIII-dependent lines) and inhibited the proliferation of epidermal growth factor- and VEGF-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells. These properties, combined with a favorable pharmacokinetic profile, were associated with a potent antitumor activity in a number of animal models of cancer, including tumors that overexpress EGFR and or ErbB2. Oral administration of AEE-788 to tumor-bearing mice resulted in high and persistent compound levels in tumor tissue. Moreover, AEE-788 efficiently inhibited growth factor-induced EGFR and ErbB2 phosphorylation in tumors for >72 h, a phenomenon correlating with the antitumor efficacy of intermittent treatment schedules. AEE-788 has potential as an anticancer agent targeting deregulated tumor cell proliferation as well as angiogenic parameters. AEE-788 had been in phase Ⅱ clinical trials by Novartis for the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. However, this research has been discontinued.

Nemorubicin, a doxorubicin derivative, is a DNA-intercalator, topoisomerase and RNA synthesis inhibitor that was undergoing development with Nerviano Medical Sciences (Nerviano MS; formerly Pharmacia Italia) for the treatment of solid tumours, specifically, the loco-regional treatment of primary liver tumours (hepatocellular carcinoma). The drug is active on tumors resistant to alkylating agents, topoisomerase II inhibitors and platinum derivatives. It works primarily through topoisomerase I inhibition. Of note, Nemorubicin is active in cells with upregulation of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway, where current therapies fail. Nemorubicin is biotransformed in the liver into cytotoxic metabolites that may further contribute to render this drug highly active against primary liver tumors or liver metastases. Clinical trials were conducted in Europe, US and China with Nemorubicin given at different dose-schedules and by different routes of administration: as single agent by systemic IV route, oral route and by intra-hepatic artery (IHA) infusion alone or in combination with cisplatin.

CPI-613 is a lipoate derivative synthesized to be catalytically inert but to potentially mimic lipoate catalytic intermediates. The drug is in phase II of clinical trials for the treatment of Myelodysplastic syndromes; Pancreatic cancer; Small cell lung cancer; Solid tumors; Bile duct cancer; Acute Myeloid leukemia. The mechanism of CPI-613 action can be explained by (I) inhibition of tumor cell pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC) through activation of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinases leading to inactivating phosphorylation of the E1alpha-subunit of PDC; and (II) inhibition of alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase.

Odapipam is a benzazepine with high affinity and selectivity for D1-dopamine receptors. Labeled with C-11, it has been used as a PET radiotracer to visualize D1 receptors both in striatal and extrastriatal areas, such as the prefrontal cortex. Odapipam inhibits dopamine D1 receptor binding in vitro with low nanomolar to picomolar dissociation constants. The affinity of [11C]NNC 756 for D1 receptors is 0.18 nM. Odapipam was tested in phase I of clinical trials for the treatment of psychotic disorders, but failed.

Norletimol is a Schiff base with promising anti-inflammatory properties. The time taken for elimination of 50% of the Norletimol dose in the urine was approximately five hours. As an antirheumatic agent it was tested in clinical trials in Iraq. It was used in progressive myopia in children.

Hydroxytamoxifen (Afimoxifene) is an active metabolite of tamoxifen exerting estrogen receptor modulatory function. In addition, hydroxytamoxifen binds to regulates transcriptional activity of the estrogen-related receptor gamma. ASCEND Therapeutics, Inc. was developing TamoGel (4-hydroxytamoxifen gel) for a variety of estrogen-dependent conditions, including breast cancer, cyclic breast pain and gynecomastia.

Brivanib is a pyrrolotriazine-based compound and an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) with potential antineoplastic activity. It specifically targets and strongly binds to human VEGFR-2, a tyrosine kinase receptor and pro-angiogenic growth factor expressed almost exclusively on vascular endothelial cells. Blockade of VEGFR-2 by this agent may lead to an inhibition of VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell migration and proliferation, thereby inhibiting tumor angiogenesis. Brivanib has a moderate potency compared to VEGFR-2 against VEGFR-1 and FGFR-1 as well. Brivanib is suggested to be efficient in treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). As first-line and as second-line therapy brivanib demonstrated promising antitumor activity and a manageable safety profile in patients with advanced, unresectable HCC in phase II clinical trials. On 3 march 2011, orphan designation was granted by the European Commission to Bristol-Myers Squibb for brivanib alaninate for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.[