Baricitinib (trade name Olumiant) is an investigational drug for rheumatoid arthritis (RA), being developed by Incyte and Eli Lilly. Baricitinib is a selective JAK1 and JAK2 inhibitor with IC50 of 5.9 nM and 5.7 nM in cell-free assays. In February 2017 Baricitinib was approved for use in the European Union as a second-line therapy for moderate to severe active rheumatoid arthritis in adults, either alone or in combination with methotrexate. On 31 May 2018 FDA approved Barictinib for the treatment of adult patients with moderately to severely active rheumatoid arthritis who have had an inadequate response to one or more TNF antagonist therapies.

Prucalopride is a novel enterokinetic compound and is the first representative of the benzofuran class. Prucalopride is a potent, selective and specific serotonin 5-HT4 receptor (5-HT4-R) agonist. Prucalopride (Resolor®), a highly selective serotonin 5-HT4 receptor agonist, is indicated in the European Economic Area for the treatment of adults with chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC) in whom laxatives have failed to provide adequate relief.

Tecovirimat (ST-246) is a low-molecular-weight compound (molecular weight = 376), that is potent (concentration that inhibited virus replication by 50% = 0.010 microM), selective (concentration of compound that inhibited cell viability by 50% = >40 microM), and active against multiple orthopoxviruses, including vaccinia, monkeypox, camelpox, cowpox, ectromelia (mousepox), and variola viruses. The antiviral activity is specific for orthopoxviruses and the compound does not inhibit the replication of other RNA- and DNA-containing viruses or inhibit cell proliferation at concentrations of compound that are antiviral. ST-246 targets vaccinia virus p37, a viral protein required for envelopment and secretion of extracellular forms of virus. The compound is orally bioavailable and protects multiple animal species from lethal orthopoxvirus challenge. rug substance and drug product processes have been developed and commercial scale batches have been produced using Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP). Human phase I clinical trials have shown that ST-246 is safe and well tolerated in healthy human volunteers. Based on the results of the clinical evaluation, once a day dosing should provide plasma drug exposure in the range predicted to be antiviral based on data from efficacy studies in animal models of orthopoxvirus disease.

Rifamycin SV is a derivative of antibiotic rifamycin B (the natural fermentation product of S. mediterranei broths). The primary target of rifampicin on whole bacteria is the synthesis of RNA. Rifamycin belongs to the ansamycin class of antibacterial drugs and acts by inhibiting the beta subunit of the bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, blocking one of the steps in DNA transcription. This results in inhibition of bacterial synthesis and consequently growth of bacteria. Rifampicin exhibits bactericidal activity on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and on mycobacteria. Rifamycin SV MMX® (AEMCOLO), a non-absorbable rifamycin antibiotic formulated using the multi-matrix system, was designed to exhibit its pharmacological action on the distal small intestine and colon. AEMCOLO is indicated for the treatment of travelers’ diarrhea (TD) caused by non-invasive strains of Escherichia coli in adults.

Enasidenib, aslo known as AG-221 and CC-90007, is a potent and selective IDH2 inhibitor with potential anticancer activity (IDH2 = Isocitrate dehydrogenase 2). The mutations of IDH2 present in certain cancer cells result in a new ability of the enzyme to catalyze the NAPH-dependent reduction of α-ketoglutarate to R(-)-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG). The production of 2HG is believed to contribute to the formation and progression of cancer. The inhibition of mutant IDH2 and its neoactivity is therefore a potential therapeutic treatment for cancer. Enasidenib is an orally available, selective, potent inhibitor of the mutated IDH2 protein, making it a highly targeted investigational medicine for the potential treatment of patients with cancers that harbor an IDH2 mutation. Enasidenib has received orphan drug and fast track designations from the U.S. FDA. Enasidenib mesylate is in phase II clinical trials for Solid tumours and phase III clinical trials for the treatment of acute myeloid leukaemia.

Brigatinib (AP26113) is an investigational, targeted cancer medicine discovered internally at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Brigatinib has exhibited activity as a potent dual inhibitor of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). It is in development for the treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase positive (ALK+) non-small cell cancer (NSCLC) whose disease is resistant to crizotinib. Brigatinib is currently being evaluated in the global Phase 2 ALTA (ALK in Lung Cancer Trial of AP26113) trial that is anticipated to form the basis for its initial regulatory review. ARIAD has also initiated the Phase 3 ALTA 1L trial to assess the efficacy of brigatinib in comparison to crizotinib. Brigatinib was granted orphan drug designation by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in May 2016 for the treatment of certain subtypes of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The designation is for anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive (ALK+), c-ros 1 oncogene positive (ROS1+), or epidermal growth factor receptor positive (EGFR+) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Brigatinib received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA in October 2014 for the treatment of patients with ALK+ NSCLC whose disease is resistant to crizotinib. Both designations were based on results from an ongoing Phase 1/2 trial that showed anti-tumor activity of brigatinib in patients with ALK+ NSCLC, including patients with active brain metastases.

Ribociclib, also known as LEE011, is an orally available cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor targeting cyclin D1/CDK4 and cyclin D3/CDK6 cell cycle pathway, with potential antineoplastic activity. CDK4/6 inhibitor LEE011 specifically inhibits CDK4 and 6, thereby inhibiting retinoblastoma (Rb) protein phosphorylation. Inhibition of Rb phosphorylation prevents CDK-mediated G1-S phase transition, thereby arresting the cell cycle in the G1 phase, suppressing DNA synthesis and inhibiting cancer cell growth. Overexpression of CDK4/6, as seen in certain types of cancer, causes cell cycle deregulation. Ribociclib is in phase III clinical trials by Novartis for the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer. Phase II clinical trials are also in development for the treatment of liposarcoma, ovarian cancer, fallopian tube cancer, peritoneum cancer, endometrial cancer, and gastrointestinal cancer. Preregistration for Breast cancer (First-line therapy, Combination therapy, Late-stage disease) in the USA (PO) in November 2016.

Naldemedine (Symproic) is an opioid antagonist indicated for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation (OIC) in adult patients with chronic non-cancer pain. Naldemedine is an opioid antagonist with binding affinities for mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors. Naldemedine functions as a peripherally-acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist in tissues such as the gastrointestinal tract, thereby decreasing the constipating effects of opioids. Naldemedine is a derivative of naltrexone to which a side chain has been added that increases the molecular weight and the polar surface area, thereby reducing its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Naldemedine is also a substrate of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) efflux transporter. Based on these properties, the CNS penetration of naldemedine is expected to be negligible at the recommended dose levels, limiting the potential for interference with centrally-mediated opioid analgesia. Naldemedine was approved in 2017 in both the US and Japan for the treatment of Opioid-induced Constipation.

Ertugliflozin (PF-04971729) is a potent and selective sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor incorporating a unique dioxa-bicyclo[3.2.1]octane (bridged ketal) ring system. SGLT2 has become an important therapeutic target and several SGLT2-selective inhibitors are either approved or in clinical development for the management of blood glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes. Ertugliflozin demonstrated robust urinary glucose excretion in rats and an excellent preclinical safety profile. It was announced that FDA and EMA filing acceptances of three marketing applications for ertugliflozin-containing medicines for adults with type 2 diabetes.

Secnidazole (trade names Flagentyl, Sindose, Solosec) is a nitroimidazole derivative used to in the treatment of amoebiasis and bacterial vaginosis. Secnidazole and other 5-nitroimidazole drugs enter micro-organisms by passive diffusion and undergo activation by reduction of the 5-nitro group. In anaerobic micro-organisms, such as Trichomonas, Giardia and Entamoeba spp., this intracellular reduction occurs via the pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase complex and results in a concentration gradient across the cell membrane which, in tum, enhances transport of the parent drug into the cell. Because the electron affinity of the 5-nitroimidazoles is greater than that of reduced ferredoxin, the drug interrupts the normal electron flow. Aerobic micro-organisms have a more positive redox potential (i.e. are more efficient electron acceptors) than secnidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles, which explains the selective toxicity of these drugs against anaerobic microorganisms. DNA is the intracellular target of the Secnidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles. Secnidazole and other 5-nitroimidazoles possess selective activity against many anaerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and protozoa. In general, secnidazole and metronidazole were approximately equipotent in activity against Bacteroides fragilis, Trichomonas vaginalis, and Entamoeba histolytica, in in vitro studies. Secnidazole is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration. Plasma drug concentrations are linear over the therapeutic dose range of 0.5 to 2g. The tolerability profile of secnidazole does not differ markedly from other 5-nitroimidazoles. The most commonly reported adverse events in clinical trials involved the gastrointestinal tract (nausea, vomiting, glossitis, anorexia, epigastric pain and a metallic taste) and occurred in 2 to 10% of patients. A headache and dizziness were experienced by about 2% of patients. The drug was equally well tolerated in adults and children, and no adverse event required therapeutic intervention or treatment withdrawal.