Telotristat (telotristat etiprate) is an ethyl ester prodrug which is hydrolyzed to its active moiety LP-778902 both in vivo and in vitro. Telotristat etiprate is an orally bioavailable, small-molecule, tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibitor. It is the first investigational drug in clinical studies to target TPH, an enzyme that triggers the excess serotonin production within metastatic neuroendocrine tumor (mNET) cells leading to carcinoid syndrome. Unlike existing treatments of carcinoid syndrome which reduce the release of serotonin outside tumor cells, telotristat etiprate reduces serotonin production within the tumor cells. By specifically inhibiting serotonin production telotristat may provide patients with more control over their disease. Telotristat etiprate has received Fast Track and Orphan Drug designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and has been granted priority review by the FDA with a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) target action date of February 28, 2017.

Niraparib (MK-4827) displays excellent PARP 1 and 2 inhibition. Inhibition of PARP in the context of defects in other DNA repair mechanisms provide a tumor specific way to kill cancer cells. Niraparib is in development with TESARO, under licence from Merck & Co, for the treatment of cancers (ovarian, fallopian tube and peritoneal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and Ewing's sarcoma). Niraparib was characterized in a number of preclinical models before moving to phase I clinical trials, where it showed excellent human pharmacokinetics suitable for once a day oral dosing, achieved its pharmacodynamic target for PARP inhibition, and had promising activity in cancer patients. It is currently being tested in phase 3 clinical trials as maintenance therapy in ovarian cancer and as a treatment for breast cancer.

Safinamide (FCE 26743, NW 1015, PNU 151774, PNU 151774E, trade name Xadago) combines potent, selective, and reversible inhibition of MAO-B with blockade of voltage-dependent Na+ and Ca2+ channels and inhibition of glutamate release. Safinamide is under development with Newron, Zambon and Meiji Seika Pharma for the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Safinamide has been launched in the EU, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Safinamide was well tolerated and safe in the clinical development program that demonstrated the amelioration of motor symptoms and OFF phenomena by safinamide when combined with dopamine agonists or levodopa.

Delafloxacin (CAS registry number 189279-58-1) was described as WQ-3034 by Wakunaga Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Osaka & Hiroshima, Japan. It was first licensed in 1999 to Abbott Park, IL, and further developed as ABT-492. Delafloxacin (Baxdela), a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is currently being developed by Melinta Therapeutics. It is a novel investigational fluoroquinolone in development for the treatment of uncomplicated gonorrhea, and acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections. Delafloxacin shows MICs remarkably low against Gram-positive organisms and anaerobes and similar to those of ciprofloxacin against Gram-negative bacteria. It remains active against most fluoroquinolone-resistant strains, except enterococci. Its potency is further increased in acidic environments (found in many infection sites). Delafloxacin is active on staphylococci growing intracellularly or in biofilms. Delafloxacin is a dual-targeting fluoroquinolone, capable of forming cleavable complexes with DNA and topoisomerase IV or DNA gyrase and of inhibiting the activity of these enzymes in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. On Oct 24, 2016, Melinta Therapeutics Submitted Baxdela New Drug Application for hospital-treated skin infections.

Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid developed for the treatment of different inflammatory and immune conditions. The drug is rapidly metabolized to an active metabolite, 21-hydroxy-deflazaxort that may cross the blood brain barrier. Deflazacort acts by suppressing inflammatory response.

Rucaparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of advanced mutant BRCA ovarian cancer. Rucaparib is being investigated in clinical trials against prostate cancer, breast cancer and other neoplasms.

Rucaparib is a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor indicated for the treatment of advanced mutant BRCA ovarian cancer. Rucaparib is being investigated in clinical trials against prostate cancer, breast cancer and other neoplasms.

Pimavanserin, marketed under the trade name Nuplazid, a non-dopaminergic atypical antipsychotic developed by Acadia Pharmaceuticals is the first and only medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis. The mechanism of action of pimavanserin in the treatment of hallucinations and delusions associated with Parkinson’s disease psychosis is unknown. However, the effect of pimavanserin could be mediated through a combination of inverse agonist and antagonist activity at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and to a lesser extent at serotonin 5-HT2C receptors. In vitro, pimavanserin acts as an inverse agonist and antagonist at serotonin 5-HT2A receptors with high binding affinity (Ki value 0.087 nM) and at serotonin 5-HT2C receptors with lower binding affinity (Ki value 0.44 nM). Pimavanserin shows low binding to sigma 1 receptors (Ki value 120 nM) and has no appreciable affinity (Ki value >300 nM), to serotonin 5-HT2B, dopaminergic (including D2), muscarinic, histaminergic, or adrenergic receptors, or to calcium channels. Pimavanserin was approved by the FDA to treat hallucinations and delusions associated with psychosis experienced by some people with Parkinson's disease on April 29, 2016.

Sonidegib, also known as LDE225 and marketed as Odomzo, is a Hedgehog signaling pathway inhibitor (via smoothened antagonism) developed as an anticancer agent by Novartis. It was approved by the FDA for treating basal cell carcinoma in July 2015 and is awaiting approval in the EU. The hedgehog pathway is involved in many human cancers. Sonidegib effectively inhibits the regulator called smoothened (Smo), preventing the hedgehog pathway from functioning. As a result, tumours that depend on the hedgehog pathway are unable to grow. Sonidegib is approved for use in the US and EU for treatment of adults with locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that has recurred post surgery or radiation therapy. It is also approved for adult patients with BCC who are not eligible for surgery or radiation therapy.

Palbociclib is an oral, reversible, selective, small-molecule inhibitor of CDK4 and CDK6 indicated in combination with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy for their metastatic disease. CDK4 and CDK6 along with their regulatory partner cyclin D1 play a key role in regulating the G1- to S-phase cell-cycle transition via regulation of phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma (Rb) protein. Inhibition of these proteins leads to reduced phosphorylation of Rb, inhibition of downstream signalling, and increased tumor growth arrest. Palbociclib received an accelerated approval from the Food and Drug Administration on February 3, 2015. Palbociclib is marketed under the trade name Ibrance. IBRANCE is a kinase inhibitor indicated in combination with letrozole for the treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer as initial endocrine-based therapy for their metastatic disease.