Fosdenopterin (NulibryTM) is a synthetic cyclic pyranopterin monophosphate that is being developed by Origin Biosciences (a subsidiary of BridgeBio Pharma) for the treatment of molybdenum cofactor deficiency (MoCD) type A. Patients with MoCD Type A have mutations in the MOCS1 gene leading to deficient MOCS1A/B dependent synthesis of the intermediate substrate, cPMP. Substrate replacement therapy with NULIBRY provides an exogenous source of cPMP, which is converted to molybdopterin. Molybdopterin is then converted to molybdenum cofactor, which is needed for the activation of molybdenum-dependent enzymes, including sulfite oxidase (SOX), an enzyme that reduces levels of neurotoxic sulfites. Fosdenopterin was approved by the US FDA in February 2021 for use in reducing the risk of mortality in paediatric and adult patients with MoCD type A.

Sotorasib (LUMAKRAS™) is a RAS GTPase family inhibitor being developed by Amgen for the treatment of solid tumours with KRAS mutations, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and colorectal cancer. Sotorasib is an inhibitor of KRASG12C, a tumor-restricted, mutant-oncogenic form of the RAS GTPase, KRAS. Sotorasib forms an irreversible, covalent bond with the unique cysteine of KRASG12C, locking the protein in an inactive state that prevents downstream signaling without affecting wild-type KRAS. Sotorasib blocked KRAS signaling, inhibited cell growth, and promoted apoptosis only in KRAS G12C tumor cell lines. Sotorasib inhibited KRASG12C in vitro and in vivo with minimal detectable off-target activity. In May 2021, sotorasib was granted accelerated approval by the US FDA for the treatment of adult patients with KRAS G12C-mutated locally advanced or metastatic NSCLC, as determined by an FDA-approved test, who have received at least one prior systemic therapy.

Difelikefalin (Korsuva™) is a synthetic peptide agonist of the kappa opioid receptor being developed by Cara Therapeutics for the treatment of pruritus. In August 2021, intravenous difelikefalin was approved in the USA for the treatment of moderate-to-severe pruritus associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in adults undergoing haemodialysis. Difelikefalin selectively acts on kappa opioid receptors in peripheral tissues, which contribute to pruritis and nociception. The activation of opioid receptors in peripheral neurons and keratinocytes reduces afferent (sensory) impulses towards the central nervous system, decreasing pain signals. Activating kappa opioid receptors on immune cells, including monocytes and T lymphocytes, decreases the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals such as prostaglandins.

Trilaciclib (Cosela™) is a small-molecule, short-acting, inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) 4 and 6 developed by G1 Therapeutics for its myeloprotection and potential antitumor efficacy and safety benefits in combination with cancer chemotherapy. CDKs govern cell cycle progression, and trilaciclib induces a transient, reversible G1 cell cycle arrest of proliferating haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in bone marrow, thus protecting them from damage during chemotherapy. In February 2021, trilaciclib received its first approval in the USA to decrease the incidence of chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression in adult patients when administered prior to a platinum/etoposide-containing regimen or topotecan-containing regimen for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC). Clinical studies in breast cancer, colorectal cancer and small cell lung cancer are underway in several countries.

MK-8031 (also known as Atogepant) is piperidinonylcarboxamideazaindane derivative patented by Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp as CGRP receptor antagonist useful for prevention and treatment of Migraine. A press release in June 2018 announced positive results for MK-8031, in a Phase 2 trial of daily use for episodic migraine prevention. MK-8031appeared to show good efficacy in migraine prevention and no significant liver toxicity signal at any dose despite daily dosing for 3 months. Phase III clinical trial was initiated in 2019 and currently in progress.

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.

Cabotegravir is an investigational drug that is being studied for the treatment and prevention of HIV infection. Cabotegravir belongs to a class (group) of HIV drugs called integrase inhibitors. Integrase inhibitors block an HIV enzyme called integrase. (An enzyme is a protein that starts or increases the speed of a chemical reaction.) By blocking integrase, integrase inhibitors prevent HIV from multiplying and can reduce the amount of HIV in the body. Cabotegravir does not require boosting with an additional drug. Two forms of cabotegravir are being studied: tablets that are taken by mouth (known as oral cabotegravir or oral CAB) and a long-acting injectable form that is injected into the muscle (known as cabotegravir LA or CAB LA; LA stands for "long-acting"). (A long-acting drug formulation works over a long period of time. Using this type of drug might mean that the drug could be taken less often, making a treatment or prevention regimen simpler to take.) Cabotegravir is in Phase-III clinical trials for HIV infections.

OTL-38 (OTL-0038, Pafolacianine), a fluorescent-labelled folate receptor-α (FRα) targeted imaging agent that accumulates in vivo in tumor cells expressing FR. In 2014, the OTL-38 molecule was granted orphan drug status which can be given to the maker of a drug that treats rare conditions or diseases and offers protection from competition for a period of time. OTL-38 under the brand name Cytalux was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on 29 November 2021, as an additional approach that can be used to identify malignant lesions and to ensure the total resection of the tumors in ovarian cancer patients. Cytalux is a fluorescent drug that targets folate receptor which may be overexpressed in ovarian cancer. Pafolacianine binds to FR-expressing cancer cells with ~1 nM affinity, internalizes via receptor mediated endocytosis, and concentrates in FR-positive cancer tissues. Pafolacianine absorbs light in the near-infrared region within a range of 760 nm to 785 nm with peak absorption of 776 nm and emits fluorescence within a range of 790 nm to 815 nm with a peak emission of 796 nm.

Fexinidazole is an antiparasitic drug, which is in the phase III of clinical trial for the treatment of Human African Trypanosomiasis, and in the phase II for the treatment Disease, Chagas and Visceral Leishmaniosis. However, for the Visceral Leishmaniosis, studies were terminated, due to lack of efficacy. Fexinidazole rapidly metabolized to two active metabolites, a sulfone and a sulfoxide, which prolong the pharmacological action of parent drug. These metabolites retaine trypanocidal activity but are less effective in nifurtimox-resistant lines, which can lead to the potential danger in the use of fexinidazole as a monotherapy.