SNS 314 is a selective small molecule inhibitor of Aurora kinases A, B and C. The compound was being developed by Sunesis Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer. Proliferating cells treated with SNS-314 bypass the mitotic spindle checkpoint and fail to undergo cytokinesis, leading to multiple rounds of endoreduplication and eventually cell death. SNS-314 inhibits tumor growth in a variety of preclinical models, and it was being tested in single agent Phase 1 studies in patients with advanced solid tumours.

Mevastatin (compactin or ML-236B) is an inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. This drug induces apoptosis and arrest of cancer cells in G1 phase. Therapeutic effects of mevastatin on serum level of lipoproteins and unbiquinone-10 in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia were investigated. However, that study was discontinued. In addition, mevastatin was investigated for the treatment of melanoma. It was suggested, that mevastatin was unlikely to prevent melanoma at standard doses. However, higher doses could have a role to play in adjuvant therapy by inhibiting growth and invasion of melanoma cells. Also was revealed, that mevastatin increased histone deacetylase inhibitor, LBH589-induced cell death in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells.

Acebilustat (formerly CTX-4430) is an investigational oral drug under development by Celtaxsys. It is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme leukotriene A4 hydrolase (LTA4H), which catalyzes the rate‐limiting step in the formation of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), a potent chemoattractant and activator of inflammatory immune cells including neutrophils. Acebilustat is currently being tested in Phase 2 clinical trial as a modulator of inflammation in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) have granted orphan drug status to acebilustat as a treatment for cystic fibrosis.

Lumicitabine (formerly called ALS-8176), a first-in-class orally administered nucleoside analogue is being developed by Alios BioPharma for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infections. Lumicitabine converts to plasma-circulating ALS-8112, and then to the 5'-active nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) form within host cells. Extensive and rapid RSV reduction occurred after lumicitabine treatment (EC50 = 1.79 uM), with >99% viral inhibition at 2 h after loading dose. Clinical trials of Lumicitabine for the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus infection are ongoing.

CE-326597 is a potent and selective agonist of type 1 cholecystokinin receptor, developed by Pfizer Inc for the treatment of obesity. The physical properties of CE-326597 provided the desired low systemic exposure which was driven by poor absorption of the drug into the intestinal wall. Unfortunately, CE-326597 demonstrated insufficient efficacy for the treatment of either diabetes or obesity after 12 weeks of dosing in Phase 2 clinical trial and was discontinued.

KH-176 is a drug candidate developed by pharmaceutical company Khondrion to treat a range of mitochondrial diseases including MELAS (mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) spectrum disorders. KH176 has been granted Orphan Drug Designation for MELAS spectrum disorders and Leigh disease in Europe and for all inherited mitochondrial respiratory chain disorders in the USA. KH176 acts as a potent intracellular redox-modulating agent essential for the control of oxidative and redox pathologies.