Dextrorphan is an active metabolite of dextromethorphan, is an antitussive agent, which was found in cough medicines. Dextrorphan is a noncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antagonist, sigma 1 receptor agonist, so as is an agonist of mu and kappa opioid receptors. In addition was found, that dextrorphan possessed anticonvulsive and neuroprotective effects.

Birinapant is a parenterally administered bivalent peptidomimetic of the SMAC protein (Second Mitochondria-derived Activator of Caspases) and is therefore known as a SMAC mimetic compound. Birinapant is a particularly potent antagonist of two members of the Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins (IAP) family, cIAP-1, and cIAP-2. cIAP-1 and -2 are ubiquitin ligases whose expression can protect cells from apoptosis and cause pro-survival effects of TNF-α and related ligands. When Birinapant binds to cIAP-1 or -2 it causes the protein to ubiquitinate itself, which in turn drives the degradation of the protein. In this way, birinapant suppresses the levels of cIAP-1 and cIAP-2 and therefore switches cell signaling to drive tumor cell apoptosis in the presence of TNF-α. Birinapant has been shown to give rise to sustained and substantial reductions of cIAP1 levels in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs) and tumor tissue. To date, Birinapant has been dosed in approximately 450 patients across 9 studies. The majority of studies was in oncology (one in HBV) and primarily recruited patients with refractory solid tumors & hematological malignancies (dominated by ovarian, colorectal, acute myeloid leukemia and Myelodysplastic syndromes). Overall Birinapant has shown acceptable safety and tolerability for further development in oncology indications. The current plans are to study Birinapant clinically in combination with Keytruda® for the treatment solid tumors and in an Investigator-Initiated study at UCLA for high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC) in combination with platinum-based chemotherapy.

Chromanol is chromane derivative and o-tocopherol analog that has been used in trials studying the treatment of Prostate Cancer. Chromanol is potent water-soluble antioxidant and free radical scavenger. Chromanol inhibited overall oxidation of cis-Parinaric acid in phospholipids and protect cells to peroxyl radicals mediated NFkB activation and subsequent apoptosis. Chromanol inhibited the LPS-stimulated induction of NO production in a concentration-dependent fashion in cultured J774 macrophages and rat vascular smooth muscle cells without evidence of cytotoxicity.

Bisphenol A is a small estrogenic monomer that is polymerized to produce polycarbonate plastic and resins used to line metal cans. It is also used to make some dental sealants. Bisphenol A had been considered to be a very weak environmental estrogen. It is able to interact with human estrogen receptors. In addition, it binds strongly to the estrogen-related receptor gamma. Bisphenol A inhibited androgen-induced androgen receptor transcriptional activity. Prenatal exposure to maternal Bisphenol A concentrations were related to higher levels of anxiety, depression, aggression, and hyperactivity in children. Bisphenol A exposure in childhood was associated with higher levels of anxiety, depression, hyperactivity, inattention, and conduct problems. It never found use as a drug.

Zolertine is an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist that acts as an antihypertensive agent. Its effect was studied in animals in vivo and in vitro. Zolertine considerably decreased systemic blood pressure in mecamylamine hypertensive dogs in a dose-related fashion. Using the intravital microscopic method in rat's mesocygeus microvasculature a direct relationship between zolertine dosage and blockade was demonstrated as well as an inverse relationship between time of action of zolertine and percentage of vasoconstriction caused by noradrenaline. When only zolertine was applied, it caused a small vasoconstriction that decreased as its concentration increased which could be due to its ability to antagonize alpha receptor responses, but not beta responses. Zolertine is a more active alpha blocker than azapetin, a blocker used in medical practice. Competition binding experiments using the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist [3H] prazosin showed a zolertine pKi of 6.81 +/- 0.02 in rat liver (alpha1B-adrenoceptors) and 6.35 +/- 0.04 in rabbit liver (alpha1A-adrenoceptors) membranes. Zolertine showed higher affinity for alpha1D-adrenoceptors compared to alpha1A-adrenoceptors, while it had an intermediate affinity for alpha1B-adrenoceptors. The ability of the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist zolertine to block alpha1D-adrenoceptor-mediated constriction in different vessels of Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats may explain its antihypertensive efficacy despite its low order of potency.

Lorglumide (CR1409) is the first nonpeptidic, selective and potent inhibitor of the cholecystokinin-A and cholecystokinin-B receptors. Lorglumide prevented dose-dependently the emptying of the gallbladder in both experimental models; proglumide exhibited a comparable activity at much higher doses. Lorglumide was associated with significantly inhibited cell growth of human pancreatic cancer cell line Mia PaCa-2 in vitro. Lorglumide also induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. The change of invasion ability appeared to be mediated by MMP-2 expression, which was upregulated by CCK-8S and downregulated by lorglumide. Lorglumide had been in preclinical phase for the treatment of biliary dyskinesia, pancreatitis and cancer. However, this development was discontinued.

Pranidipine is the calcium channel blocker. Pranidipine did not affect the sensitivity of the contractile proteins to calcium. Pranidipine also did not alter cyclic GMP-induced relaxation in alpha-toxin-skinned vascular preparations. Pranidipine also prolonged glyceryl trinitrate-induced relaxation in the endothelium denuded rat aorta. Pranidipine enhances cyclic GMP-independent NO-induced relaxation of smooth muscle by a mechanism other than through NO-induced hyperpolarization. These effects were in direct contrast to amlodipine, another new 1,4-dihydropyridine calcium antagonist. Pranidipine increased blood velocity and probably blood flow in the optic nerve head, choroid, and retina of rabbits. Pranidipine was not detrimental to global cardiac function in animals with dilated cardiomyopathy. Pranidipine enhances relaxation produced by endothelium-derived relaxing factor in carotid artery. Pranidipine was investigated as pharmacological agent for the treatment of angina pectoris and hypertension.

Temperocol is an investigative anti-cancer drug that inhibits the expression of survivin and CDK-1; discovered at Johns Hopkins University and under development by Erimos Pharmaceuticals. It has been tested in phase I/II clinical trials for Leukemia, and several forms of neoplasms including gliomas. Results of these clinical trials have shown promise, however treatment regimes produce several toxic side effects that need to be balanced against efficacy. Temperocol is a fully methylated derivative of the natural product Nordihydroguaiaretic acid.

Erlosiban (OBE-001 or Nolasiban) is an oral oxytocin receptor antagonist. Erlosiban inhibits myometrium contractions and inflammation elicited by oxytocin. Erlosiban has the potential to decrease contractions and improve uterine blood flow hence enhancing the receptivity of the endometrium to embryo implantation. This may increase the rates of successful implantation, clinical pregnancy, and live-births among patients undergoing ART, or more specifically IVF procedures.