Evocalcet (MT-4580, KHK7580) is an allosteric calcium-sensing receptor agonist. Evocalcet directly acts on calcium receptors on parathyroid cells to suppress synthesis and secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), and it consequently decreases serum PTH and serum calcium. ORKEDIA® TABLETS (generic name: evocalcet, code name: KHK7580) has been listed on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Drug Price List and launched for the treatment of secondary hyperparathyroidism in patients on maintenance dialysis in Japan.

Ripasudil (K-115) is a selective Rho-associated coiled coil-containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. This compound, which was originally discovered by D. Western Therapeutics Institute, Inc., reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) by directly acting on the trabecular meshwork, thereby increasing conventional outflow through the Schlemm's canal. As a result of this mechanism of action, ripasudil may offer additive effects in the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension when used in combination with agents such as prostaglandin analogues (which increase uveoscleral outflow) and β blockers (which reduce aqueous production). GLANATEC® (Ripasudil hydrochloride hydrate) ophthalmic solution 0.4% is launched in Japan for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Dextramycin ((S, S)-p-Chloramphenicol) is an optical isomer of Chloramphenicol, a broad-spectrum antibiotic with historical veterinary use in all major food-producing animals. The drug is biosynthesized by the soil organism Streptomyces venezuelae and several other actinomycetes and is chemically synthesized for commercial use. Chloramphenicol occurs in the meta-configuration and in the para-configuration and it contains two chiral centers thus in total eight different isomeric configurations exist. All para-stereoisomers are biologically active and 0.5% solution of Dextramycin shows antimicrobial activity. Currently, Chloramphenicol has banned for use in all food-producing animals.

Naphthoquine is an antimalarial drug first synthesized in China in 1986 but which was not developed for clinical use until the late 1990s. This drug now is used in combination for treatment of Plasmodium Falciparum and Malaria. The use of anti-malarial drug combinations with artemisinin or with one of its derivatives is now widely recommended to overcome drug resistance in falciparum as well as vivax malaria. The fixed oral dose artemisinin-naphthoquine combination (ANQ, ARCO™) is a newer artemisinin-based combination (ACT) therapy undergoing clinical assessment.

Benzbromarone (INN) is a uricosuric agent and non-competitive inhibitor of xanthine oxidase used in the treatment of gout, especially when the first line treatment, allopurinol, fails or produces intolerable adverse effects. It is structurally related to the antiarrhythmic amiodarone. Benzbromarone was introduced in the 1970s and was viewed as having few associated serious adverse reactions. It was registered in about 20 countries throughout Asia, South America and Europe. In 2003, the drug was withdrawn by Sanofi-Synthélabo, after reports of serious hepatotoxicity, although it is still marketed in several countries by other drug companies. The withdrawal has greatly limited its availability around the world and increased difficulty in accessing it in other countries where it has never been available. Standard dosages of benzbromarone (100 mg/day) tend to produce greater hypouricaemic effects than standard doses of allopourinol (300 mg/day) or probenecid (1000 mg/day). Adverse effects associated with benzbromarone are relatively infrequent but potentially severe. Four cases of benzbromarone-induced hepatotoxicity were identified from primary literature, and eleven cases have been reported by Sanofi-Synthélabo but details are not available in the public domain. Only one of the four publicly published cases demonstrated a clear relationship between the drug and liver injury as demonstrated by rechallenge. The other three cases lacked incontrovertible evidence to support a diagnosis of benzbromarone-induced hepatotoxicity. If all the reported cases are assumed to be due to benzbromarone, the estimated risk of hepatotoxicity in Europe was approximately 1 in 17 000 patients but may be higher in Japan. Benzbromarone is a very potent inhibitor of CYP2C9. The mechanism of benzbromarone hepatotoxicity is believed to be due to its hepatic metabolism by CYP2C9 and possible effects of the parent compound or its metabolites on mitochondrial function. Benzbromarone is a benzofuran and shares structural similarities with benzarone and amiodarone, all three of which affect mitochondrial function.

Ebastine is an antihistamine which blocks H1-receptors through its carboxylic acid metabolite. Ebastine is indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria.

Bicyclol, also known as SY 801, is a hepatoprotective agent. Bicyclol upregulates transcription factor Nrf2, HO-1 expression and protects rat brains against focal ischemia. Bicyclol induces cell cycle arrest and autophagy in HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cells through the PI3K/AKT and Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathways. Bicyclol attenuates tetracycline-induced fatty liver associated with inhibition of hepatic ER stress and apoptosis in mice. Bicyclol promotes toll-like 2 receptor recruiting inosine 5'-monophosphate dehydrogenase II to exert its anti-inflammatory effect. Phase Ⅰ~Ⅳ clinical trials and extensive application after market launch prove that, Bicyclol is suitable for the treatment of chronic viral and non-viral liver disease with elevated serum aminotransferase abnormalities, and is excellent in safety. This drug is recommended for liver protection and anti-inflammatory medication by Chinese Medical Association in Guidelines for Management of Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Guidelines for Management of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, The Guideline of Prevention and Treatment for Chronic Hepatitis B, Expert Consensus On Hepatic Inflammation and Its Prevention and other professional guidelines and consensus.

Icotinib is an orally available quinazoline-based inhibitor of epidermal growth factor receptor. It selectively inhibits the wild-type and several mutated forms of EGFR tyrosine kinase. The major organ of icotinib metabolism is the liver, with the primarily enzymes being CYP2C19 and CYP3A4 from the cytochrome P450 monooxygenase system. Icotinib Hydrochloride was approved for the treatment of patients with advanced stage Nonsmall cell lung cancer by the State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) of China. The major drug related adverse reactions of the traditional cytotoxic agents include rash, diarrhea, severe bone marrow suppression, neuropathy, hair loss, and gastrointestinal reactions. Icotinib is under investigation as an active agent against other EGFR mutation-positive cancers, like lung adenocarcinoma, oesophageal cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and others.

Trelagliptin (SYR-472), a novel dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Trelagliptin (as the salt Trelagliptin succinate) was approved for use in Japan in March 2015. Takeda, the company that developed Trelagliptin, chose to not get approval for the drug in the USA and EU.

Eupatilin (5,7-dihydroxy-3',4',6-trimethoxyflavone) is the major lipophilic flavonoid from Artemísia umbellifórmis, mountain wormwood used for the production of the celebrated alpine liqueur genepy. Eupatilin is the active ingredient of Stillen, a herbal drug from the Asian wormwood Artemisia asiatica, developed in South Korea for the treatment of gastritis and peptic ulcer. Eupatilin has been shown to exert cytoprotective and antiapoptotic effects on gastric and esophageal epithelial primary cells and is endowed with antispasmodic and antimutagenic properties, while apoptotic and anti-proliferative activities have been demonstrated on cancer cells. Eupatilin has also been evaluated, with promising results, in several assays of relevance for inflammation and allergy. Thus, this flavonoid inhibits in vitro mast cell degranulation and histamine release, shows in vivo anti-allergic properties is an antioxidant, inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and the leukotrienes synthesis, decreases prostaglandin E2 production, and inhibits the activation of nuclear transcription factor NF-κB and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and different pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins (IL-4, IL-6, and IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-R (TNF-R)