(R)-Ibuprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, is the less active enantiomer of ibuprofen. (S)-enantiomer of ibuprofen has the desired therapeutic effect (160 times more active than its (R)-enantiomer) in the in vitro inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis, while the (R)- ibuprofen is inactive. The accumulation of (R)- ibuprofen can cause serious side effects to the human body such as gastrointestinal pain and production of “hybrid” triglycerides between (R)- ibuprofen and Coenzyme A, which disrupt normal lipid metabolism and membrane function. The R(-)-isomer is almost inactive in inhibiting COX-2.

Dapansutrile is an inhibitor of the NLRP3 inflammasome, developed by Olatec Therapeutics LLC. NLRP3 inflammasome is a driver of sterile inflammation in response to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and other inflammatory conditions. Dapansutrile limits infarct size and prevents left ventricular systolic dysfunction in the mouse model of ischemia-reperfusion injury and suppresses joint inflammation in the mouse model of acute arthritis. Dapansutrile demonstrated a clinical and inflammatory cytokine response in a clinical trial for the treatment of acute gout and is being investigated for the treatment of Systolic Heart Failure and Schnitzler Syndrome.

Sulfatinib (previously known as HMPL-012) was developed as a small-molecule inhibitor targeting vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 and 3, fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 and colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor with potential antineoplastic and anti-angiogenic activities. Sulfatinib has shown encouraging antitumor activity and manageable toxicities in patients with advanced neuroendocrine tumors (NET). The drug is participating in two ongoing phases III studies, validating the efficacy of surufatinib in patients with NETs. In addition, in November 2018, Hutchison MediPharma completed a phase II trial of sulfatinib, for the treatment of patients with biliary tract cancer. This drug is also participating in the phase II trial that is currently in recruiting status in treating advanced medullary thyroid carcinoma.

RO4987655 is a highly selective non-competitive small molecule inhibitor of MEK. RO4987655 has a strong anti-proliferation efficacy in various tumor cells including COLO205, HT29, QG56, MIA and C32 with IC50 values of 0.86nM, 1.7nM, 9.5nM, 3.3nM and 8.4nM, respectively. In addition, RO4987655 is found to have antitumor activity in a wide range of human cancer xenograft models. In the HT-29 human colon cancer xenograft, RO4987655 shows a strong inhibition of pERK formation as well as tumor regression. RO4987655 shows clinical activity in both patients with BRAF wild-type melanoma and BRAF V600-mutated melanoma. It is also efficacious in patients with KRAS-mutated non-small cell lung cancer but not KRAS-mutated colorectal cancer.

R-306465 is a sulfonyl-derivative patented by Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V. as class I histone deacetylase inhibitor with broad-spectrum antitumoral activity against solid and hematological malignancies. R-306465 rapidly induced histone 3 (H3) acetylation and strongly upregulated expression of p21waf1,cip1, a downstream component of HDAC1 signaling, in A2780 ovarian carcinoma cells. R306465 showed class I HDAC isotype selectivity as evidenced by poor inhibition of HDAC6 (class IIb) confirmed by the absence of downregulation of Hsp90 chaperone c-RAF protein expression and tubulin acetylation. R306465 potently inhibited cell proliferation of all main solid tumor indications, including ovarian, lung, colon, breast and prostate cancer cell lines. Hematological cell lines, including acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, chronic lymphoblastic leukemia, chronic myeloid leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma, were potently inhibited at a similar concentration range. R306465 induced apoptosis and inhibited angiogenesis in cell-based assays and had potent oral in vivo antitumoral activity in xenograft models.

TAK-063 is a highly potent, selective, and orally active phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) inhibitor with IC50 of 0.30 nM; >15000-fold selectivity over other PDEs. TAK-063 is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of schizophrenia. Phosphodiesterase 10A (PDE10A) is a cAMP/cGMP phosphodiesterase highly expressed in medium spiny neurons (MSNs) in the striatum. TAK-063 represents a promising drug for the treatment of schizophrenia with potential for superior safety and tolerability profiles.

Neoandrographolide, one of the principal diterpene lactones, isolated from a medicinal herb Andrographis paniculata Nees. Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees (Acanthaceae), also known as “kalmegh” in India, is a widely distributed plant in Asia. In many traditional formulations, the aerial parts have been used as anti-inflammatory and antipyretic drugs for the treatment of a variety of chronic and infectious diseases. Neoandrographolide possesses significant anti-inflammatory effects, which implies that it would be one of the major contributing components to participate in the anti-inflammatory effect of A. paniculata. and a potential candidate for further clinical trial.

SB-203580 was originally prepared as inflammatory cytokine synthesis inhibitor that subsequently was found to be selective inhibitor of p38 MAP kinase. SB-203580 is a p38 MAPK inhibitor with IC50 of 0.3-0.5 uM in THP-1 cells, 10-fold less sensitive to SAPK3(106T) and SAPK4(106T) and blocks PKB phosphorylation with IC50 of 3-5 uM. SB203580 induces autophagy in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. Development of SB-203580 for cancer; postmenopausal osteoporosis; rheumatoid arthritis; septic shock has been discontinued.

Carnosol is an ortho-diphenolic diterpene with an abietane carbon skeleton with hydroxyl groups at positions C-11 and C-12 and a lactone moiety across the B ring. Carnosol is the product of oxidative degradation of carnosic acid. Carnosol is a naturally occurring phytopolyphenol found in rosemary that functions as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogen. Carnosol has been shown to inhibit inductions of COX-2 by blocking PKC signaling. Carnosol is an inhibitor of AR and ER α. Several pre-clinical studies have suggested that carnosol selectively targets tumorigenic cell as opposed to non-tumorigenic cells and is safe and tolerable in animals. Carnosol has been shown to elicit chemopreventive effects by (1) blocking the bioactivation of carcinogens, (2) enhancing antioxidant and/or detoxification enzyme activities, (3) suppressing tumor-promoting inflammation, (4) inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis selectively in cancer cells, and (5) blocking tumor angiogenesis and invasion.

AT13148, being developed by Astex Pharmaceuticals and its collaborators, is an orally active small molecule inhibitor of Rho activated kinases (ROCK) 1 and 2 and of protein kinase (PK) A and is currently in phase 1 clinical studies under Cancer Research UK’s Clinical Development Program (CDP). AT13148 is currently being tested in a phase 1 clinical trial in patients with advanced solid tumors.