Anamorelin is a first-in-class, orally active ghrelin receptor agonist that binds and stimulates the growth hormone secretagogue receptor centrally, thereby mimicking the appetite-enhancing and anabolic effects of ghrelin. Anamorelin is under development by Helsinn Therapeutics for the treatment of cancer cachexia and anorexia. Anamorelin has completed phase III clinical trials for the treatment of cancer cachexia and anorexia associated with non-small-cell lung carcinoma. Results of the studies were positive, and the drug is now in preregistration with the European Medicines Agency.

IVA-337 (LANIFIBRANOR), an indole sulfonamide derivative, is a pan peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonist. It is under investigation in Phase 2 clinical trials for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and type 2 diabetes.

Arginine vasotocin (Argiprestocin, AVT) is the non-mammalian homologue of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and was first synthesized as an AVP analogue. It was later found in non-mammalian vertebrates and induces similar physiological effects as AVP. AVT is considered the primary antidiuretic hormone. AVT functions to regulate expression of social and reproductive behaviors.

Resiniferatoxin (RTX or RTX-107) is a vanilloid derived from a cactus-like plant (Euphoria resiniferous) and has anti-inflammatory activity. This compound is an agonist of the transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1). Resiniferatoxin produces analgesia by desensitizing the TRPV1 receptor. Findings of several studies have suggested a potential therapeutic use of the anti-inflammatory effect of resiniferatoxin. Phase I and II clinical trials have been completed or are underway, evaluating the safety and efficacy of resiniferatoxin in pain-related disorders such as osteoarthritis and cancers.

WS-12 is a cooling agent and potent TRPM8 agonist. It activates TRPM8 but not related TRP channels like TRPM3 and TRPV6. WS-12 seems to activate TRPM8 mediated cation currents by shifting the voltage dependence of the activation curves to the left toward more physiological membrane potentials. Highly selective TRPM8 activators may be useful for prostate cancer imaging and/or therapy and for therapy in chronic neuropathic pain states.

Merotocin (FE-202767 or carba-1-[4-FBzlGly(7)]dOT) is a selective peptidic oxytocin receptor agonist. It is currently in clinical development for the treatment of preterm mothers requiring lactation support.

UM171 is a potent agonist of human hematopoietic stem cell renewal, independently of AhR suppression. UM171 act differently than other small molecule stimulators of hematopoiesis, such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) antagonist StemRegenin 1 (SR1). Addition of UM171 to cultures containing SR1 and cytokines further enhances the ex vivo expansion of normal HSCs, including CD34+ cells.

Adrogolide is a chemically stable prodrug of the dopamine D1 receptor agonist A-86929. Adrogolide is rapidly converted in plasma to A-86929. A-86929 has high affinity and functional selectivity for the dopamine D1 receptor. Adrogolide has been in phase II clinical trials for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and cocaine abuse. However, this research has been discontinued. The adverse events associated with its use of adrogolide were of mild-to-moderate severity and included injection site reaction, asthenia, headache, nausea, vomiting, postural hypotension, vasodilitation, and dizziness.

Compound M24 is a selective angiotensin II AT2 receptor agonist with a Ki value of 0.4 nM for the AT2 receptor. Compound enhances in vivo duodenal alkaline secretion in Sprague-Dawley rats, and lowers the mean arterial blood pressure in anesthetized, spontaneously hypertensive rats. In a mouse model of atherosclerosis, plaque size and stability were improved in ApoE‐/‐ mice treated with M24. Treatment with M24 resulted in decrease in scar size and reduction in markers of inflammation in a rat model of myocardial infaction.

MK-1903 is a potent and selective hydroxycarboxylic acid receptor 2 (HCA2, GPR109A) full agonist. Exhibits no binding at the GRP109B receptor. This drug had been in phase II clinical trial for the treatment of atherosclerosis and Dyslipidemia. But then, according to Merck, elevation of HDL cholesterol relative to placebo did not meet the trial's pre-specified primary objective for efficacy; no safety signals were implicated as drivers of the decision to discontinue development.