Thioctic acid also known as alpha-lipoic acid is a dietary supplement, which is a common ingredient in OTC (over-the-counter) multivitamin formulas and anti-aging supplements. Thioctic acid exists in both R- and S-enantiomeric forms, however, only R-form is essential as a cofactor in biological systems (the acid is coupled via an amide linkage to a lysine of several multienzyme complexes, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex, the glycine cleavage system and the branched-chain oxo acid dehydrogenase complex). Most commercially available thioctic acid supplements are a mixture of both R and S enantiomers or R-form alone. Several studies have shown that the acid has beneficial effect on diabetes complications, cancer, glaucome, liver disease, etc. The mechanisms of thioctic acid is related to its antioxidant properties, metal chelator properties, however, those mechanisms need futher confirmation.

Anecortave is a novel angiogenesis inhibitor used in the treatment of the exudative (wet) form of age-related macular degeneration. It will be marketed by Alcon as anecortave acetate (AA) for depot suspension under the trade name Retaane. In 2007 they received their letter of approval for Retaane’s indication to treat wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but final approval would require the completion of an additional clinical study. As a result, the Anecortave Acetate Risk-Reduction Trial (AART) was continued to be supported by Alcon. This study looked at the efficacy of Retaane to reduce the progression of the dry from of AMD to the wet-form. In 2008, Alcon Inc. announced they were terminating the development of anecortave acetate for the prevention of developing sight-threatening choroidal neovascularization secondary to age-related macular degeneration. In 2009, Alcon Inc. announced they would terminate the development of the drug for the reducing intraocular pressure associated with glaucoma. Currently, anecortave acetate is not on the market or being made for therapeutic use by Alcon Inc.[7] This could be due to the lack of efficacy of clinical trials with anecortave acetate or because of newer more efficacious products that are currently on the market. Anecortave acetate functions as an antiangiogenic agent, inhibiting blood vessel growth by decreasing extracellular protease expression and inhibiting endothelial cell migration. Its angiostatic activity does not seem to be mediated through any of the commonly known pharmacological receptors. RETAANE blocks signals from multiple growth factors because it acts downstream and independent of the initiating angiogenic stimuli and inhibits angiogenesis subsequent to the angiogenic stimulation. Recently was discovered, that phosphodiesterase 6-delta (PDE6D) was a molecular binding partner of AA and this provided insight into the role of this drug candidate in treating glaucoma.

Diflucortolone (used in the form of valerate prodrug) is a corticosteroid developed for the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases. It is supposed that Diflucortolone acts by inducing Annexin A1, a phospholipase A2 inhibitory protein, and thus controls the biosynthesis of prostagladins and leukotrienes. The drug is marketed as a cream under the tradename Nerisone.