Olutasidenib (FT-2102) is a highly potent, orally bioavailable, brain-penetrant, and selective inhibitor of mutant IDH1. Olutasidenib was designed to reduce R-2-HG and revert pathologic epigenetic modifications that impair cellular differentiation to restore regulatory enzyme function. In patients with AML, susceptible IDH1 mutations are defined as those leading to increased levels of 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG) in the leukemia cells and where efficacy is predicted by 1) clinically meaningful remissions with the recommended dose of olutasidenib and/or 2) inhibition of mutant IDH1 enzymatic activity at concentrations of olutasidenib sustainable at the recommended dosage according to validated methods. The most common of such mutations in patients with AML are R132H and R132C substitutions. In vitro, olutasidenib inhibited mutated IDH1 R132H, R132L, R132S, R132G, and R132C proteins; wild-type IDH1 or mutated IDH2 proteins were not inhibited. Olutasidenib inhibition of mutant IDH1 led to decreased 2-HG levels in vitro and in in vivo xenograft models. On December 1, 2022, the FDA approved olutasidenib (brand name Rezlidhia) capsules for adult patients with relapsed or refractory acute myeloid leukemia with a susceptible IDH1 mutation as detected by an FDA-approved test.

Daridorexant (Quviviq™; Idorsia Pharmaceuticals Ltd.) is an orally administered dual orexin type 1 and type 2 (OX1 and OX2) receptor antagonist (DORA) being developed for the treatment of insomnia. It was selected from a pool of drug candidates on the basis of an expected effect duration of ≈ 8 h at a dose of 25 mg, with a half-life intended to minimize residual effects that might impair daytime functioning. Based on the results of two pivotal phase III trials, daridorexant was recently approved in the USA for the treatment of adult patients with insomnia characterized by difficulties with sleep onset and/or sleep maintenance. The mechanism of action of daridorexant in the treatment of insomnia is presumed to be through antagonism of orexin receptors. The orexin neuropeptide signaling system plays a role in wakefulness. Blocking the binding of wake-promoting neuropeptides orexin A and orexin B to receptors OX1R and OX2R is thought to suppress wake drive.

Futibatinib (Lytgobi®) is an oral, covalently binding, irreversible inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)1-4 that is being developed by Taiho Oncology and Taiho Pharmaceutical for the treatment of cancers, including cholangiocarcinoma, breast cancer, gastric cancer, urothelial cancer, oesophageal cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. Futibatinib is a small molecule kinase inhibitor of FGFR 1, 2, 3, and 4 with IC50 values of less than 4 nM. Futibatinib covalently binds FGFR. Constitutive FGFR signaling can support the proliferation and survival of malignant cells. Futibatinib inhibited FGFR phosphorylation and downstream signaling and decreased cell viability in cancer cell lines with FGFR alterations including FGFR fusions/rearrangements, amplifications, and mutations. Futibatinib demonstrated anti-tumor activity in mouse and rat xenograft models of human tumors with activating FGFR genetic alterations. Futibatinib was approved in the USA on 30 September 2022 for the treatment of adult patients with previously treated, unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma harbouring FGFR2 gene fusions or other rearrangements.

Mavacamten (Camzyos™; MYK-461) is an oral small-molecule cardiac myosin inhibitor developed by MyoKardia, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Bristol Myers Squibb, for the treatment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and diseases of diastolic dysfunction. Mavacamten is an allosteric and reversible inhibitor selective for cardiac myosin. Mavacamten modulates the number of myosin heads that can enter “on actin” (power-generating) states, thus reducing the probability of force-producing (systolic) and residual (diastolic) cross-bridge formation. Excess myosin actin cross-bridge formation and dysregulation of the super-relaxed state are mechanistic hallmarks of HCM. Mavacamten shifts the overall myosin population towards an energy-sparing, recruitable, super-relaxed state. In HCM patients, myosin inhibition with mavacamten reduces dynamic LVOT obstruction and improves cardiac filling pressures. In April 2022, mavacamten was approved for use in the USA in the treatment of adults with symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II-III obstructive HCM to improve functional capacity and symptoms.

Tapinarof (also known as benvitimod, WB-1001; GSK-2894512), a therapeutic aryl hydrocarbon receptor agonist that selectively modulates the cytokine cascade deep under the skin, a process that rapidly decreases inflammations and skin plague. Tapinarof cream 1% (VTAMA®) is being developed by Dermavant Sciences Inc. (a subsidiary of Roivant Sciences Inc.) as a once-daily topical treatment for plaque psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. In May 2022, tapinarof cream 1% was approved in the USA for the topical treatment of plaque psoriasis in adults. Tapinarof cream 1% is also being investigated for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

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.

Trofinetide (NNZ 2566), a proprietary small molecule analogue of glycine-proline-glutamate [Glypromate®], is being developed by Neuren Pharmaceuticals and Acadia Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of brain injuries, fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome. Trofinetide is a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring neurotrophic peptide derived from IGF-1, a growth factor produced by brain cells. In animal models, trofinetide exhibits a wide range of important effects including inhibiting neuroinflammation, normalizing the role of microglia and correcting deficits in synaptic function. Trofinetide was approved in March 2023 in the USA for the treatment of Rett syndrome in adult and pediatric patients 2 years of age and older.

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.

A-4250 (odevixibat) is a selective inhibitor of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) that acts locally in the gut. Ileum absorbs glyco-and taurine-conjugated forms of the bile salts. IBAT is the first step in absorption at the brush-border membrane. A-4250 works by decreasing the re-absorption of bile acids from the small intestine to the liver, whichreduces the toxic levels of bile acids during the progression of the disease. It exhibits therapeutic intervention by checking the transport of bile acids. Studies show that A-4250 has the potential to decrease the damage in the liver cells and the development of fibrosis/cirrhosis of the liver known to occur in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. A-4250 is a designated orphan drug in the USA for October 2012. A-4250 is a designated orphan drug in the EU for October 2016. A-4250 was awarded PRIME status for PFIC by EMA in October 2016. A-4250 is in phase II clinical trials by Albireo for the treatment of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC) and cholestatic pruritus. In an open label Phase 2 study in children with cholestatic liver disease and pruritus, odevixibat showed reductions in serum bile acids and pruritus in most patients and exhibited a favorable overall tolerability profile.

Belzutifan (PT2977) is an orally active, small molecule inhibitor of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-2alpha (HIF-2a). Upon oral administration, HIF-2alpha inhibitor PT2977 binds to and blocks the function of HIF-2alpha, thereby preventing HIF-2alpha heterodimerization and its subsequent binding to DNA. This results in decreased transcription and expression of HIF-2alpha downstream target genes, many of which regulate hypoxic signaling. This inhibits cell growth and survival of HIF-2alpha-expressing tumor cells. HIF-2alpha, the alpha subunit for the heterodimeric transcription factor HIF-2, is overexpressed in many cancers and promotes tumorigenesis.