Ivabradine (CORLANOR®) is a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated channel blocker that reduces the spontaneous pacemaker activity of the cardiac sinus node by selectively inhibiting the If-current, resulting in heart rate reduction at concentrations that do not affect other cardiac ionic currents. Specific heart-rate lowering with ivabradine (CORLANOR®) reduces myocardial oxygen demand, simultaneously improving oxygen supply. It has no negative inotropic or lusitropic effects, preserving ventricular contractility, and does not change any major electrophysiological parameters unrelated to heart rate.

Flibanserin is the first drug to be approved for hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) in premenopausal women by the FDA in August 2015. It was originally developed as an antidepressant medication by Boehringer Ingelheim, but showed lack of efficacy in trials and was further developed as a hypoactive sexual disorder drug by Sprout Pharmaceuticals. Flibanserin's mechanism of action is attributed to its high affinity for 5-HTA1 and 5-HTA2 receptors, displaying agonist activity on 5-HTA1 and antagonist on 5-HTA2, resulting in lowering of serotonin in the brain as well as an effect on increasing norepinephrine and dopamine neurotransmitters. Flibansetrin has high affinity for serotonin receptors in the brain: it acts as an agonist on 5-HT1A and an antagonist on 5-HT2A. In vivo, flibanserin binds equally to 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors. However, under higher levels of brain 5-HT (i.e., under stress), flibanserin may occupy 5-HT2A receptors in higher proportion than 5-HT(1A) receptors. It may also moderately antagonize D4 (dopamine) receptors and 5-HT2B and 5-HTB2C. Its action on neurotransmitter receptors may contribute to reduction in serotonin levels and increase in dopamine and norepinephrine levels, all of which may play part in reward processing. Flibanserin is sold under the trade name Addyi and indicated for the treatment of premenopausal women with acquired, generalized hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) as characterized by low sexual desire that causes marked distress or interpersonal difficulty.

Miltefosine is an anti-leishmanial agent. It is an alkyl phospholipids compound, was originally intended for breast cancer and other solid tumors. However, it could not be developed as an oral agent because of dose-limiting gastro-intestinal toxicity, and only a topical formulation is approved for skin metastasis. But Miltefosine showed excellent antileishmanial activity both in vitro and in experimental models. Miltefosine is effective in vitro against both promastigotes and amastigotes of various species of Leishmania and also other kinetoplastidae (Trypanosoma cruzi,T. brucei) and other protozoan parasites (Entamoeba histolytica, Acanthamoeba). Mechanism of action is unknown. It is likely to involve interaction with lipids (phospholipids and sterols), including membrane lipids, inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase (mitochondrial function), and apoptosis-like cell death. Miltefosine is approved for the treatment of Visceral leishmaniasis (due to Leishmania donovani), Cutaneous leishmaniasis (due to Leishmania braziliensis, Leishmania guyanensis, and Leishmania panamensis) and Mucosal leishmaniasis (due to Leishmania braziliensis).

Tedizolid phosphate is an oxazolidinone prodrug which in the body is dephosphorylated to the active compound tedizolid. The antibacterial activity of tedizolid is mediated by binding to the 50S subunit of the bacterial ribosome resulting in inhibition of protein synthesis. Tedizolid inhibits bacterial protein synthesis through a mechanism of action different from that of other non-oxazolidinone class antibacterial drugs; therefore, cross-resistance between tedizolid and other classes of antibacterial drugs is unlikely. Tedizolid is bacteriostatic against Gram Positive bacteria such as enterococci, staphylococci, and streptococci. No drug-drug interactions were identified with tedizolid.

Fosnetupitant is a prodrug form of netupitant. Netupitant is a selective antagonist of human substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptors. Upon intravenous administration, fosnetupitant is converted by phosphatases to its active form. It competitively binds to and blocks the activity of NK-1 receptors in the central nervous system, by inhibiting binding of substance P (SP) to NK-1 receptors. This prevents delayed emesis, which is associated with SP secretion. AKYNZEO® is a combination of palonosetron, a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, and netupitant (capsules for oral use) or fosnetupitant (injections for intravenous use). AKYNZEO® for injection is indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Olodaterol is a beta2-adrenoceptor agonist discovered by Boehringer Ingelheim and approved for the treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. The compound exerts its pharmacological effects by binding and activation of beta2-adrenoceptors after inhalation. Activation of these receptors in the airways results in a stimulation of intracellular adenyl cyclase, an enzyme that mediates the synthesis of cyclic-3’, 5’ adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Elevated levels of cAMP induce bronchodilation by relaxation of airway smooth muscle cells. Olodaterol effect lasts for 24 hours.

Pirfenidone is a synthetic antifibrotic agent indicated for the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis as Esbriet. Pirfenidone inhibits fibroblast, epidermal, platelet-derived, and transforming beta-1 growth factors. It also inhibits DNA synthesis and the production of mRNA for collagen types I and III, resulting in a reduction in radiation-induced fibrosis. Pirfenidone has demonstrated activity in multiple fibrotic conditions however the exact mechanism of action of pirfenidone in the treatment of IPF has not been established.

Tasimelteon, developed by Vanda Pharmaceuticals Inc under license from Bristol-Myers Squibb Co, is a melatonin receptor agonist. Tasimelteon differs structurally from melatonin and drugs with known melatonin agonist activity, in particular by its distinct aromatic group and linker. Tasimelteon bears also no structural relationship to any other approved active substance. Tasimelteon is presumably acts through activation of MT1 and MT2 G-protein coupled receptors, which are involved primarily in inhibition of neuronal firing and phase shift of circadian rhythms. Tasimelteon is approved for the treatment of Non24-Hour Sleep-Wake Disorder.

Apremilast (brand name Otezla) selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. OTEZLA is the first and only PDE4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin resulting from an uncontrolled immune response. Apremilast also inhibits spontaneous production of TNF-alpha from human rheumatoid synovial cells. It has anti-inflammatory activity. By inhibiting PDE-4, apremilast increases intracellular levels of cAMP and thereby inhibits the production of multiple proinflammatory mediators including PDE-4, TNF-alpha, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma, leukotrienes, and nitric oxide synthase.

Belinostat is a hydroxamate-type histone deacetylase inhibitor indicated for the treatment of relapsed or refractory peripheal T-cell lymphoma. The compound received orphan drug designation for the treatment of malignant thymomas. Acting on a histone deacetylase Belinostat causes the accumulation of acetylated histones and other proteins, inducing cell cycle arrest and/or apoptosis of some transformed cells. Belinostat targets HDAC enzymes, thereby inhibiting tumor cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis, promoting cellular differentiation, and inhibiting angiogenesis. This agent may sensitize drug-resistant tumor cells to other antineoplastic agents, possibly through a mechanism involving the down-regulation of thymidylate synthase. PXD101 has been shown in preclinical studies to have the potential to treat a wide range of solid and hematologic malignancies either as a monotherapy or in combination with other active agents, and both an oral and intravenous formulation of the drug are being evaluated in clinical trials.