G749 is a Fms-like tyrosine receptor kinase 3 (FLT3) inhibitor and a promising next-generation drug candidate for the treatment of relapsed and refractory acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients with various FLT3-ITD/FLT3-TKD mutants that shows the ability to overcome drug resistance. It demonstrated potent and sustained inhibition of the FLT3 wild type and mutants including FLT3-ITD, FLT3-D835Y, FLT3-ITD/N676D, and FLT3-ITD/F691L in cellular assays. G749 retained its inhibitory potency in various drug-resistance milieus such as patient plasma, FLT3 ligand surge, and stromal protection. It also displayed potent antileukemic activity in bone marrow blasts from AML patients regardless of FLT3 mutation status, including those with little or only minor responses to AC220 or PKC412. Oral administration of G749 yielded complete tumor regression and increased life span in animal models.

APTO-253 is a novel small molecule that can induce expression of the genes that code for the Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) master transcription factor and for the p21 cell cycle inhibitor protein, and can inhibit expression of the c-Myc oncogene, leading to cell cycle arrest and programmed cell death (apoptosis) in human-derived solid tumor and hematologic cancer cells. A Phase 1 study with APTO-253 was completed and demonstrated modest clinical activity in patients with colon cancer, acute leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, hematological malignancies and non-small cell lung cancers.

BMS-582949 acts as a dual action kinase inhibitor. It inhibits both p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity and activation of p38. As a blocking agent for activation of p38 kinase BMS-582949 appeared to be well suited to resist such cellular responses that would drive p38 activation more strongly. BMS-582949 is in Phase II clinical trials for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and atherosclerosis.

GPX-150 is an anthracycline compound that is being tested for treatment in patients with soft-tissue sarcomas. This doxorubicin (DOX) analog does not show the cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity of DOX. It works by reducing the formation of reactive oxygen species and the cardiotoxic metabolite, doxorubiciniol, the two pathways that are linked to the irreversible cardiotoxicity seen with DOX. Phase 1 clinical trials showed no irreversible, cumulative dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. A phase 2 study investigating the safety and efficacy of GPX-150 in patients with soft tissue sarcoma has been completed. No patients developed any evidence of irreversible, cumulative dose-dependent chronic cardiotoxicity. Toxicities reported include grade 3 anemia, neutropenia, and grade 4 leukopenia.