Dovitinib is an orally active small molecule that exhibits potent inhibitory activity against multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) involved in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Dovitinib strongly binds to fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) and inhibits its phosphorylation, which may result in the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and the induction of tumor cell death. In addition, this agent may inhibit other members of the RTK superfamily, including the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor; fibroblast growth factor receptor 1; platelet-derived growth factor receptor type 3; FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3; stem cell factor receptor (c-KIT); and colony-stimulating factor receptor 1; this may result in an additional reduction in cellular proliferation and angiogenesis, and the induction of tumor cell apoptosis. There are several ongoing Phase I/III clinical trials for dovitinib.

Edaglitazone have a clear PPAR-gamma agonist profile, with predominant PPAR-gamma activity and little PPAR-alpha activity. Edaglitazone was reported to significantly improve insulin sensitivity and enhance the rate of glucose oxidation in both the presence and absence of insulin. Additional studies have shown that edaglitazone affects muscle glucose metabolism by additional mechanisms other than PPAR-gamma activation. Phase I clinical studies have revealed that edaglitazone is well-tolerated and capable of significantly improving glucose homeostasis. Edaglitazone had been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment if type 2 diabetes. However, this research has been discontinued.

Etazolate (EHT-0202) is a selective, positive GABAA receptor modulator has completed phase II clinical trials in patients with Alzheimer's disease. It is also a selective phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor that is specific for cAMP. Etazolate showed anxiolytic and antidepressant activity and could be useful in managing post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sanguinarine is an extract of the bloodroot plant Sanguinaria canadensis, a member of the poppy family. It is an inhibitor of protein phosphatases PP1, PP2C and PP2B in vitro. Also inhibits mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) and other enzymes. Sanguinarine exerts a protective effect in cerebral ischemia, and this effect is associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties. It was clinically tested as an agent against gingivitis and tooth plaques.

INCB3284 or INCB-3284 Incyte’s internally developed, oral human CCR2 antagonist for the treatment of chronic inflammations. It is in Phase IIa trial of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

SB-743921 is a synthetic small molecule with potential antineoplastic properties. SB-743921 selectively inhibits the ATP-binding domain of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP), an important protein involved in the early stages of mitosis that is expressed in proliferating cells. Inhibition of KSP results in inhibition of mitotic spindle assembly and interrupts cell division, thereby causing cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. SB-743921 has greater than 40,000 fold selectivity for KSP over other kinesins. SB-743921 has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in a variety of in vivo and in vitro human cancer models in preclinical studies. Furthermore, anti-cancer effect has been demonstrated in taxane-refractory malignancies with SB-743921. Toxicity studies demonstrated predictable neutropenias and gastrointestinal toxicities without clear evidence of neurotoxicity. The recommended phase II dose for SB-743921 as a 1-h infusion every 21 days is 4 mg/m2.

Idazoxan is an alpha2 receptor antagonist which also shows activity at imidazoline I1 and I2 receptors and modulates the release of dopamine. Idazoxan was in phase II development in the US. Later the development of idazoxan for schizophrenia was discontinued. It was also in clinical trials for cognition disorders in United Kingdom, and was also discontinued. Idazoxan is used in scientific research as a tool for the study of alpha 2-adrenoceptors. Idazoxan`s diastereoisomers possess different relative selectivity for alpha2- pre- and postsynaptic receptors: (+)-idazoxan was 7-8 times more potent than (-)-idazoxan in inhibiting p-[3H]aminoclonidine binding, and 40 times more active in antagonizing clonidine at presynaptic level, indicating a better selectivity for alpha2-presynaptic sites. The pre- and postsynaptic alpha2-adrenoceptors have a different affinity for the two enantiomers of idazoxan. Although the stereoisomers are closely related structurally, (+)-idazoxan possesses a stronger affinity for presynaptic sites. This stereoselectivity was less evident for postsynaptic sites. In rats and dogs, both enantiomers antagonized the sympathoinhibitory effects of clonidine. In rats, (+)- idazoxan was 4-7 times more potent than (-)- idazoxan and 3-8 times more than (-)- idazoxan in dogs. A same order of potency was observed against the sedative effects of clonidine and azepexole in chicks, (+)- idazoxan being 8 times more potent than (-)- idazoxan. Although (+)- idazoxan was more potent than (-) idazoxan, binding studies revealed (-)- idazoxan to be more selective than (+)- idazoxan at central sites. It is concluded that (+)- idazoxan antagonizes both alpha-1 and alpha-2 adrenoceptors and (-)- idazoxan is selective for alpha-2 adrenoceptors. In the pithed rat, only (-)- idazoxan possesses both alpha-1 and alpha-2 agonistic effects.

Levovirin is a guanosine nucleoside analog and the L-enantiomer of ribavirin. It is an investigational drug for the treatment of hepatitis C virus-mediated diseases. Levovirin has a similar immunomodulatory potency to ribavirin in vitro without accumulating in red blood cells or causing hemolytic anemia, a known side effect of ribavirin. Levovirin has been shown to stimulate host immune responses (enhanced Th1 and reduced Th2 cytokine expression). Significantly improved oral absorption of levovirin was achieved following administration of a valine ester prodrug of levovirin R1518. Levovirin was found more potent to inhibit Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) on the basis of robust binding affinity between protein-drug interactions. This finding may help to understand the nature of helicase and development of specific anti-TBEV therapies.

SB-271046 is one of the first selective 5-HT6 receptor antagonists to be discovered. SB-271046 is a potent, selective and orally active 5-HT6 receptor antagonist with a pKi value of 8.9. This compound provides a useful tool for further elucidating the physiological function of 5-HT6 receptors in vivo. SB-271046 was found to increase levels of the excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters glutamate and aspartate, as well as dopamine and noradrenaline in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of rats, and 5-HT6 antagonists have been shown to produce nootropic effects in a variety of animal studies. Suggested applications of SB-271046 included treatment of schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders. A phase I clinical development of SB-271046 by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) was discontinued due to a poor BBB permeability.

SB-743921 is a synthetic small molecule with potential antineoplastic properties. SB-743921 selectively inhibits the ATP-binding domain of the kinesin spindle protein (KSP), an important protein involved in the early stages of mitosis that is expressed in proliferating cells. Inhibition of KSP results in inhibition of mitotic spindle assembly and interrupts cell division, thereby causing cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis. SB-743921 has greater than 40,000 fold selectivity for KSP over other kinesins. SB-743921 has demonstrated promising anti-cancer activity in a variety of in vivo and in vitro human cancer models in preclinical studies. Furthermore, anti-cancer effect has been demonstrated in taxane-refractory malignancies with SB-743921. Toxicity studies demonstrated predictable neutropenias and gastrointestinal toxicities without clear evidence of neurotoxicity. The recommended phase II dose for SB-743921 as a 1-h infusion every 21 days is 4 mg/m2.