Pegaptanib is a selective vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) antagonist indicated for the treatment of neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration. Pegaptanib is an aptamer, a pegylated modified single-stranded oligonucleotide, which adopts a threedimensional conformation that enables it to bind to extracellular VEGF. Pegaptanib specifically binds to the 165 isoform of VEGF, a protein that plays a critical role in angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels) and increased permeability (leakage from blood vessels), two of the primary pathological processes responsible for the vision loss associated with neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Pegaptanib is administered in a 0.3 mg dose once every six weeks by intravitreal injection. An intravitreal injection is one that is administered directly into the eye, more specifically, into the vitreous humour, or the jelly-like fluid within the eye.

Colesevelam (trade name Welchol) a non-absorbed, polymeric, lipid-lowering agent intended for oral administration. Colesevelam is poly(allylamine hydrochloride) cross-linked with epichlorohydrin and alkylated with 1-bromodecane and (6-bromohexyl)-trimethylammonium bromide. Colesevelam hydrochloride is a hydrophilic, water-insoluble polymer that is not hydrolyzed by digestive enzymes and is not absorbed. Colesevelam is part of a class of drugs known as bile acid sequestrants. Colesevelam hydrochloride, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Welchol, is a non-absorbed, lipid-lowering polymer that binds bile acids in the intestine, impeding their reabsorption. As the bile acid pool becomes depleted, the hepatic enzyme, cholesterol 7-α-hydroxylase, is upregulated, which increases the conversion of cholesterol to bile acids. This causes an increased demand for cholesterol in the liver cells, resulting in the dual effect of increasing transcription and activity of the cholesterol biosynthetic enzyme, HMG-CoA reductase, and increasing the number of hepatic LDL receptors. These compensatory effects result in increased clearance of LDL-C from the blood, resulting in decreased serum LDL-C levels. Colesevelam is indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise to reduce elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with primary hyperlipidemia as monotherapy and to improve glycemic control in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, including in combination with a statin. The expanded use of colesevelam in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus is an example of drug repositioning.

Pentosan polysulfate sodium (brand name ELMIRON) is a low molecular weight heparin-like compound. It has anticoagulant and fibrinolytic effects and is indicated for the relief of bladder pain or discomfort associated with interstitial cystitis. The mechanism of action of pentosan polysulfate sodium in interstitial cystitis is not known but was discovered, that it t binds Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) as well as other heparin-binding growth factors.