Sephin1 is a guanabenz derivative that binds to and inhibits a regulatory subunit of the stress-induced protein phosphatase 1 (PPP1R15A), but not the constitutive PPP1R15B, and lacks beta2-adrenergic activity. Phosphorylation of eIF2α, α subunit of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2, reduces protein synthesis and prevents the accumulation of misfolded protein in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). PPP1R15A recruits the serine/threonine-protein phosphatase PP1 to dephosphorylate eIF2α, so inhibiting PPP1R15A activity prolongs the phosphorylation of eIF2α and aids in its prevention of the accumulation of misfolded protein. In vitro, Sephin1 protected cells from lethal protein misfolding and cytotoxic ER stress. In vivo Sephin1 prevented Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1B and ALS diseases in mice.

ABTL 0812 is a autophagy inducer that acts via PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and has a dual mechanism of action. ABTL-0812 is a first-in-class small molecule, orally administered that binds to the nuclear receptors PPARα/γ inducing TRIB3 overexpression which blocks Akt activation, the central kinase of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, and inducing PPAR-dependent Endoplasmic Reticular Stress (ER-stress). The combination of TRIB3-mediated inhibition of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and the ER-Stress induction results in an autophagy-mediated cancer cell death. In animal cancer models ABTL0812 is efficacious as single agent with an excellent safety profile in a broad spectrum of cancer types: lung, endometrial and pancreatic cancer and neuroblastoma. ABTL0812 is also active on cells resistant to other targeted therapies, on tumor stem cells and inhibits metastasis formation. Preliminary results show promising immunomodulatory effects. ABTL0812 is currently in phase 2 clinical trials in Europe in patients with endometrial cancer or squamous cell lung cancer, as a first-line treatment in combination with chemotherapy and as a maintenance treatment after the chemotherapy cycles. The study is being conducted in leading cancer hospitals in Spain and France. This same phase 2 study was also approved by the US FDA in December 2017. In addition, the FDA approved the protocol for a phase 2 study in pancreatic cancer in January 2018. ABTL-0812 has also received Orphan Drug Designations (ODD) for pancreatic cancer, biliary cancer and the pediatric cancer neuroblastoma by the FDA in the USA and by the EMA in Europe.

GSK690693 is an aminofurazan derivative, a novel ATP-competitive, low-nanomolar pan-Akt kinase inhibitor. It is selective for the Akt isoforms versus the majority of kinases in other families; however, it does inhibit additional members of the AGC kinase family. GlaxoSmithKline was developing this compound for the treatment of lymphoma solid tumours but the clinical development of this compound was terminated due to the associated side-effect of transient hyperglycemia.