NLG919 is a novel small-molecule IDO-pathway inhibitor. NLG919 potently inhibits this pathway in vitro and in cell-based assays. It is orally bioavailable and has a favorable pharmacokinetic and toxicity profile. In mice, a single oral administration of NLG919 reduces the concentration of plasma and tissue Kyn by ∼ 50%. Using IDO-expressing human monocyte-derived DCs in allogeneic MLR reactions, NLG919 potently blocked IDO-induced T cell suppression and restored robust T cell responses with an ED50=80 nM. Similarly, using IDO-expressing mouse DCs from tumor-draining lymph nodes, NLG919 abrogated IDO-induced suppression of antigen-specific T cells (OT-I) in vitro. In vivo, in mice bearing large established B16F10 tumors, administration of NLG919 markedly enhanced the anti-tumor responses of naïve, resting pmel-1 cells to vaccination with cognate hgp100 peptide plus CpG-1826 in IFA

CC-220 is a potent cereblon modulating agent that displays anti-proliferative, pro-apoptotic and immunomodulatory activity on sensitive and resistant multiple myeloma cell lines. CC-220 is currently under clinical investigation for systemic lupus erythematosus and multiple myeloma as a single agent, or in combination with dexamethasone in patients who may have previously been exposed to pomalidomide. Comparable to other Cereblon-binding agents, ex vivo treatment of CC-220 on B-cells, T-cells, and monocytes leads to the degradation of the hematopoietic transcription factors Ikaros (IKZF1) and Aiolos (IKZF3). followed by disruption of the multiple myeloma promoting c-Myc/IRF4 axis.

Solcitinib (also known as GSK2586184 or GLPG0778) is a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, for the treatment of psoriasis, lupus, and ulcerative colitis. Galapagos NV's collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline has hit a roadblock. It was reported that its Big Pharma partner had hit the brakes on a Phase II study of GSK2586184 for lupus after a first look at the data failed to demonstrate a positive effect. And an exploratory Phase I/II of the same drug for ulcerative colitis was put on hold as investigators review the program.

Veledimex is an oral activator ligand for a proprietary gene therapy promoter system, and a moderate inhibitor of and substrate for CYP3A4/5. Veledimex controls the expression of the target gene. The amount of gene product produced by the system and the duration of the effect is dependent on veledimex dose level and duration of dosing. Nonclinical studies demonstrated that intratumoral administration of Ad-RTS-IL12 along with oral administration of veledimex elicited dose-dependent anti-tumor effects in murine melanoma, breast cancer and glioma models which correlated with increased plasma exposure of veledimex. The FDA granted Fast Track designation for Ad-RTS-hIL-12 plus veledimex for the treatment of recurrent or progressive glioblastoma multiforme in adults. Ad-RTS-hIL-12 is an inducible adenoviral vector encoding human pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-12 (IL-12), which is under the transcriptional control of the RheoSwitch Therapeutic System. Veledixmex is an oral activator ligand. Data previously presented suggest that Ad-RTS-hIL-12 with 20 mg veledimex improves the median overall survival from 6 to 9 months seen with available therapies to 12.7 months, with further improvement in median overall survival to 17.8 months in a subset of subjects with reduced cumulative steroid exposure during the active dosing period of veledimex. Veledimex has been used in trials studying the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme, metastatic breast cancer, and anaplastic oligoastrocytoma.

OC-459 is a highly potent and selective CRTH2 antagonist which is active on both the recombinant and native human receptor. The Atopix lead compound OC-459 is effective in improving lung function and symptoms in patients with atopic eosinophilic asthma. This group represents 40-50% of all asthmatics and the magnitude of improvement in the responder population is equivalent to high dose inhaled corticosteroids. OC-459 has also been shown to reduce both nasal and eye symptoms in allergic subjects exposed to grass pollen. Of particular interest is the ability of OC-459 to reduce the rate of respiratory infections, an effect related to reduction in Th2 immunity which has a damaging effect on host defence. OC-459 has also demonstrated an excellent safety profile in around 800 subjects exposed drug and no safety issues have been highlighted in long term toxicology. OC-459 is in Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Motolimod (VTX-2337) is a small molecule, selective Toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 agonist has been used in trials studying phase II for the treatment of peritoneal carcinoma, Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, B-cell lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck among others. Motolimod is designed to mobilize a patient's immune system by directly activating myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, and natural killer cells. This activation results in the production of a high level of mediators known to orchestrate the integration of both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses to a number of cancers.

MedImmune is developing MEDI 9197 (formerly 3M-052), a toll-like receptor 7/8 dual agonist, for the treatment of cancer. MEDI9197 has been designed to activate a broad range of innate immune cells through targeting of both TLR 7 and 8, leading to a more robust adaptive immune response. A TLR7 and 8 dual agonist can additionally convert immune suppressive cells in the tumor to those with anti-tumor properties, allowing the generation of an effective anti-tumor response. MEDI9197 is uniquely designed for intratumoral injection, allowing the compound to be retained in the tumor and provide specific immune activation, enhancing its safety and tolerability profile.

Vesatolimod, also known as GS-9620, is being developed in clinical studies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, with the goal of inducing a liver-targeted antiviral effect without inducing the adverse effects associated with current systemic interferon-α (IFN-α) therapies. It is demonstrate interferon-stimulated gene induction without detectable serum interferon at low oral doses. GS-9620 is a potent and oral agonist of Toll-like receptor-7, a pattern-recognition receptor whose activation results in innate and adaptive immune stimulation

Rimiducid (AP1903) is a lipid-permeable tacrolimus analogue with homodimerizing activity. Rimiducid homodimerizes an analogue of human protein FKBP12 (Fv) which contains a single acid substitution (Phe36Val). This agent is used to homodimerize the Fv-containing drug-binding domains of genetically engineered proteins such as the iCD40 receptor, Fas intracellular domain or iCaspase 9 resulting in downstream signaling activation during cell therapy. Orphan designation was granted for rimiducid (AP1903) for the treatment of graft-versus-host disease.