Siramesine is a sigma2 opioid agonist under development by H Lundbeck as a potential treatment for anxiety. In March 1998, the compound was licensed to Forest Laboratories under a strategic alliance. In August 2000, siramesine entered phase II trials. Siramesine has been shown to trigger cell death of cancer cells and to exhibit a potent anticancer activity in vivo. Siramesine triggers cell death through destabilisation of mitochondria, but not lysosomes. Siramesine is a lysosomotropic detergent that induces cytoprotective autophagosome accumulation. Siramesine involves lysosomal leakage and oxidative stress.

Tesmilifene is a small-molecule antineoplastic drug and chemopotentiator that was under development by YM BioSciences for the treatment of breast cancer. Tesmilifene was developed as a selective ligand of the antiestrogen binding sites without estrogen receptor affinity. Tesmilifene potentiates the cytotoxicity of a variety of chemotherapy drugs in vitro and in vivo. Tesmilifene in combination with doxorubicin provides an unexpected and very large survival advantage over doxorubicin alone in a randomized trial in phase III clinical trial in advanced breast cancer. Unfortunately, Tesmilifene application associated with high rate disease and treatment-related adverse events and poor quality of life. Based on these results further development of Tesmilifene was discontinued

Adelmidrol is the synthetic derivate of azelaic acid, a naturally occurring saturated dicarboxylic acid, that is found in some whole grains and in trace amounts in the human body. Chemically, ademidrol is the N,N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) non anediamide and it is an amphiphilic or amphipathic compound, possessing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties, that favor its solubility both in aqueous and organic media. Adelmidrol belongs to the aliamide family, a group of fatty acid derivatives with cannabimimetic properties, able to control mast cell (MC) hyperreactivity in several pathophysiological and pathological conditions. Pro-inflammatory NF-κB pathway were markedly reduced by treatment with adelmidrol. The anti-inflammatory effect of adelmidrol appeared to be related on PPAR-gamma activation. Adelmidrol is topically effective for human inflammatory skin disorders and is able to modulate the inflammatory response in human keratinocytes. The combination of hyaluronic acid and adelmidrol improves the signs of osteoarthritis induced by monosodium iodoacetate.

Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (or 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)), a synthetic, psychoactive drug also known as ecstasy that was used as a recreational drug. This drug acts as both a stimulant and psychedelic and exerts its effects in the brain on neurons that use the chemicals serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine to communicate with other neurons. In spite of the presence of this compound in the List of control and forbidden compounds, it was studied in psychotherapy for patients with chronic, treatment-resistant posttraumatic stress disorder. Initial results showed efficacy for the treatment approach, although further studies are needed.

Omecamtiv mecarbil (CK-1827452) is a specific cardiac myosin activator and a clinical drug for left ventricular systolic heart failure (in Phase 2 of development). Omecamtiv mecarbil is an inotropic agent that prolongs systolic ejection time and increases ejection fraction through myosin ATPase activation.

Sivifene (also known as A-007), a triaryl hydrazone that produced objective responses when applied topically. During preclinical studies, sivifene was observed to upregulate both cutaneous and systemic T-lymphocytes, in particular, CD4/8+ lymphocyte subtypes. The current mechanism of action for the drug is unknown however is assumed that it can show its immunomodulating properties through the upregulation of the CD45 T lymphocyte cell surface receptor. Sivifene was being evaluated for its anticancer activities in melanoma, breast cancer, Kaposi's sarcoma, and lymphoproliferative disorders. The drug as a 0.25% gel is confirmed as an effective palliative treatment option for cutaneous metastases from cancers. Skin reactions were minimal, tolerated, and no cessation of treatment was required. However, the further development of this drug apparently has been discontinued.

Tucaresol, a substituted benzaldehyde, was being developed by Glaxo Wellcome for the prevention of sickle cell disease. Tucaresol was designed to interact with haemoglobin to increase oxygen affinity and has been shown to inhibit sickling in vitro. Tucaresol is also a low-molecular-weight compound that enhances co-stimulatory signaling to CD4 cells. Immune induction is dependent on transient covalent bonding (Schiff base formation) between carbonyls and amines expressed on antigen presenting cell (APC) and T-cell surfaces. Tucaresol substitutes for the natural donor of carbonyl groups to mimic the transient bonding that is essential for T-cell activation. In preliminary studies, tucaresol has been shown to stimulate HIV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses and generation of naive T cells via thymopoiesis in patients receiving ART who have suppressed viremia. Tucaresol appears to specifically increase type 1 cytokine production. Tucaresol has been used in trials studying the treatment of HIV infections. However, the development of tucaresol for HIV, Hepatitis B and sickle cell diseas treatment has been discontinued.

Lificiguat (YC-1) [3-(5'-hydroxymethyl-2'-furyl)-1-benzylindazole], a chemically synthetic benzylindazole compound, is a direct soluble guanylate cyclase activator. It possessed antiplatelet activity. YC-1 inhibits Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1). YC-1 demonstrated antineoplastic potential both in vitro and in vivo in animal models.

LAROTAXEL is a taxoid with potential antineoplastic activity. It prevents microtubule depolymerization, thereby inhibiting cell proliferation. It displays a broad spectrum of antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo, including activity against P-glycoprotein expressing tumors. LAROTAXEL was in phase III clinical trials for the treatment of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer, and bladder cancer. However, its development was discontinued.

SITOGLUSIDE (Daucosterol) inhibits cancer cell proliferation by inducing autophagy through reactive oxygen species-dependent manner. It also perturbs cell cycle and induces apoptotic cell death in A549 cells. Daucosterol has being shown to promote the proliferation of neural stem cells. Daucosterol also protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-mediated injury by activating IGF1 signaling pathway. Daucosterol could be potentially developed as a medicine for ischemic stroke treatment.