Bictegravir is a component of the fixed-dose combination product bictegravir/emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (BIKTARVY®), which received marketing approval for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February 2018. Bictegravir inhibits the strand transfer activity of HIV-1 integrase, an HIV-1 encoded enzyme that is required for viral replication. Inhibition of integrase prevents the integration of linear HIV-1 DNA into host genomic DNA, blocking the formation of the HIV-1 provirus and propagation of the virus.

BMN-673 (8R,9S) is the (8R,9S) enantiomer of BMN-673, known as talazoparib. BMN 673 is a novel inhibitor of nuclear enzyme poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) with potential antineoplastic activity.

Encorafenib, also known as BRAFTOVI or LGX818, is an orally available mutated BRaf V600E inhibitor with potential antineoplastic activity, which was developed by Novartis. LGX818 possesses selective anti-proliferative and apoptotic activity in cells expressing BRAFV600E. In the A375 (BRAFV600E) human melanoma cell line LGX818 suppresses phospho-ERK (EC50 = 3 nM) leading to potent inhibition of proliferation (EC50 = 4 nM). No significant activity was observed against a panel of 100 kinases (IC50 > 900 nM) and LGX818 did not inhibit proliferation of > 400 cell lines expressing wild-type BRAF. On June 27, 2018, the Food and Drug Administration approved encorafenib and Binimetinib (BRAFTOVI and MEKTOVI, Array BioPharma Inc.) in combination for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma with a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation, as detected by an FDA-approved test. Encorafenib and binimetinib target two different kinases in the RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK pathway. Compared with either drug alone, co-administration of encorafenib and binimetinib result in greater anti-proliferative activity in vitro in BRAF mutation-positive cell lines and greater anti-tumor activity with respect to tumor growth inhibition in BRAF V600E mutant human melanoma xenograft studies in mice. In addition to the above, the combination of encorafenib and binimetinib acted to delay the emergence of resistance in BRAF V600E mutant human melanoma xenografts in mice compared with the administration of either drug alone. Encorafenib is in phase III for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer and in phase II for Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma.

Sarecycline (SC1401, WC3035) is a novel, once-daily, tetracycline-derived compound being developed by Paratek Pharmaceuticals and Allergan (previously Actavis) for use in the treatment of acne and rosacea. In preclinical studies, Sarecycline possesses favorable anti-inflammatory activity, plus narrow-spectrum antibacterial activity relative to other tetracycline-derived molecules. Sarecycline has been used in Phase III clinical trials studying the treatment of Acne Vulgaris. The primary objective was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral Sarecycline 1.5 mg/kg per day compared to placebo in treating inflammatory acne lesions in subjects with moderate to severe acne. Sarecycline was statistically significantly superior to placebo with respect to primary efficacy endpoints. The most common adverse events (>2%) reported in the sarecycline group were nausea (3.2%), nasopharyngitis (2.8%), and headache (2.8%). The rate of discontinuation due to adverse events among sarecycline-treated patients in the two studies combined was 1.4%.

Eravacycline, known as Xerava by Tetraphase Pharmaceuticals, is a fully synthetic fluorocycline antibiotic of the tetracycline class with activity against clinically significant gram-negative, gram-positive aerobic, and facultative bacteria. This includes most of those bacteria resistant to cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors, multidrug-resistant strains, and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and the majority of anaerobic pathogens. It was first approved by the FDA on August 27, 2018. Eravacycline disrupts bacterial protein synthesis by binding to the 30S ribosomal subunit thus preventing the incorporation of amino acid residues into elongating peptide chains.

Plazomicin is a novel aminoglycoside antibiotic that binds to the bacterial 30S ribosomal subunit, thus inhibiting protein synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Plazomicin displays a broad spectrum of activity against aerobic gram-negative bacteria including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and organisms with aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes. Plazomicin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae is via modification of the ribosomal binding site due to expression of 16S rRNA methyltransferases. ZEMDRI (plazomicin) injection for intravenous use is indicated for the treatment of patients 18 years of age or older with Complicated Urinary Tract Infections (cUTI) including Pyelonephritis.

Stiripentol is an anticonvulsant drug used in the treatment of epilepsy. It recently proved to increase the GABAergic transmission in vitro in an experimental model of immature rat. Clinical studies were based on the fact that STP also acts as an inhibitor of CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP2C19 in vivo in epileptic patients. Side effects are largely due to the increase in plasma concentrations of other anticonvulsants and can be reduced by lowering the dose of those drugs. Nausea and vomiting are particularly noted when used in combination with sodium valproate. It appears to increase the potency of phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, clobazam and diazepam.

Omadacycline is a tetracyclin-derivative antibiotic, originated in Tufts University, and later co-developed by Merck and Paratek Pharmaceuticals. The drug was approved for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia, and for treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Omadacycline tosylate is available as tablets and in injectable form.

Prucalopride is a novel enterokinetic compound and is the first representative of the benzofuran class. Prucalopride is a potent, selective and specific serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4-R) agonist. Prucalopride (Resolor®), a highly selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist, is indicated in the European Economic Area for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in whom laxatives have failed to provide adequate relief.

Avatrombopag is an orally bioavailable, small molecule thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist that stimulates proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes from bone marrow progenitor cells resulting in increased production of platelets. Avatrombopag does not compete with TPO for binding to the TPO receptor and has an additive effect with TPO on platelet production. Avatrombopag was discovered by Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical, developed by AkaRx which late became acquired by Dova Pharmaceuticals. In 2018 avatrombopag was approved by the FDA for thrombocytopenia in adults with chronic liver disease scheduled to undergo a procedure.