Emedastine is an antihistaminic agent, which was approved by FDA for the treatment of allergic conjunctivitis (Emadine brand name). The drug acts selectively on H1 receptors with lower affinity to H2 and H3 subtypes. Emedastine has a relatively unfavorable CNS effect profile. A small percentage of patients reported somnolence as an adverse effect after administration.

Saquinavir (brand names Invirase and Fortovase) is an antiretroviral drug used together with other medications to treat or prevent HIV/AIDS. Saquinavir is an inhibitor of HIV protease. HIV protease is an enzyme required for the proteolytic cleavage of viral polyprotein precursors into individual functional proteins found in infectious HIV. Saquinavir is a peptide-like substrate analog that binds to the protease active site and inhibits the activity of the enzyme. Saquinavir inhibition prevents cleavage of the viral polyproteins resulting in the formation of immature noninfectious virus particles. The most frequent adverse events with saquinavir in either formulation are mild gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea, loose stools & abdominal discomfort. Invirase is better tolerated than Fortovase.

Stavudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) with activity against Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 (HIV-1). Stavudine is phosphorylated to active metabolites that compete for incorporation into viral DNA. They inhibit the HIV reverse transcriptase enzyme competitively and act as a chain terminator of DNA synthesis. The lack of a 3'-OH group in the incorporated nucleoside analogue prevents the formation of the 5' to 3' phosphodiester linkage essential for DNA chain elongation, and therefore, the viral DNA growth is terminated. Stavudine inhibits the activity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (RT) both by competing with the natural substrate dGTP and by its incorporation into viral DNA. Stavudine is used for the treatment of human immunovirus (HIV) infections. Stavudine is sold under the brand name Zerit among others.

Idebenone is a synthetic short-chain benzoquinone and a substrate for the enzyme NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) capable of stimulating mitochondrial electron transport and supplementing cellular energy levels. Idebenone was initially developed by Takeda Pharmaceutical Company for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive defects. This has been met with limited success. The Swiss company Santhera Pharmaceuticals has started to investigate it for the treatment of neuromuscular diseases. In 2010, early clinical trials for the treatment of Friedreich’s ataxia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy have been completed. In clinical trials, Idebenone (Raxone/Catena) had a positive impact on a measurement of respiratory function (Peak Expiratory Flow, or PEF) in non-ambulatory Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients who were not taking steroids. As of December 2013 the drug is not approved for these indications in North America or Europe. It is approved for the treatment of Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) in Europe. Idebenone (Raxone) is indicated for the treatment of visual impairment in adolescent and adult patients with Leber’s Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON). Because the number of patients with Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy is low, the disease is considered ‘rare’, and Raxone was designated an ‘orphan medicine’ on 15 February 2007. Idebenone is thought to help improve production of energy by restoring mitochondrial function, thereby preventing the cellular damage and the loss of sight seen in LHON. Idebenone is a rapidly absorbed, safe and well-tolerated drug and is currently the only clinically proven treatment option for Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) patients.

Laquinimod is a new orally available carboxamide derivative, which is currently developed for relapsing remitting (RR) and chronic progressive (CP) forms of multiple sclerosis (MS; RRMS or CPMS) as well as neurodegenerative diseases. The mechanism of action of laquinimod is not fully elucidated because the molecular target is not known. Treatment with laquinimod led to a significant and persistent increase in brain-derived neuroprotective factor (BDNF) serum levels compared to placebo treatment. In human studies, a decrease of pro-inflammatory and an increase of anti-inflammatory cytokines have been measured. After commercial launch the unexpected severe cardiac adverse events (AEs) such as serositis, pericarditis, and myocardial infarction were detected.

Masitinib is a new orally administered tyrosine kinase inhibitor that targets mast cells and macrophages, important cells for immunity, through inhibiting a limited number of kinases. Based on its unique mechanism of action, masitinib can be developed in a large number of conditions in oncology, in inflammatory diseases, and in certain diseases of the central nervous system. In oncology due to its immunotherapy effect, masitinib can have an effect on survival, alone or in combination with chemotherapy. Through its activity on mast cells and consequently the inhibition of the activation of the inflammatory process, masitinib can have an effect on the symptoms associated with some inflammatory and central nervous system diseases and the degeneration of these diseases. AB Science is developing masitinib in multiple sclerosis and alzheimer's disease. Masitinib targets kinases, including c-Kit, PDGFR, and Lyn. It is used in the treatment of mast cell tumors in animals, specifically dogs. Since its introduction in November 2008 it has been distributed under the commercial name Masivet. It has been available in Europe since the second part of 2009. In the USA it is distributed under the name Kinavet.

Temoporfin is a photosensitizer (based on chlorin) used in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. It is marketed in the European Union under the brand name Foscan. It is used in patients in whom other treatments have stopped working, and who are not suitable for radiotherapy (treatment with radiation), surgery or systemic chemotherapy (medicines used to treat cancer; ‘systemic’ means that they are given as treatments throughout the body). When Foscan is injected, temoporfin is distributed within the body, including within the tumour. When it is illuminated with laser light of a specific wavelength, temoporfin is activated and reacts with oxygen in the cells to create a highly reactive and toxic type of oxygen. This kills the cells by reacting with and destroying their components, such as their proteins and DNA. By restricting the illumination to the tumour, cell damage is limited to the tumour cells, leaving other areas of the body unaffected. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declined to approve Foscan in 2000. The EU approved its use in June 2001.

Oteracil is an adjunct to antineoplastic therapy, used in combination with Gimeracil and Tegafur. Gimeracil/oteracil/tegafur combination is approved for the gastric cancer treatment. Oteracil is an orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRT) inhibitor that decreases the activity of 5-fluorocil (tegafur is a prodrug of 5-fluorocil) in normal gastrointestinal mucosa.

Ataluren (Translarna) is a small-molecule drug approved in Europe for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy caused by a nonsense mutation. Ataluren interacts with the ribosome enabling it to read through premature nonsense stop signals on mRNA and allowing the cell to produce a full-length, functional protein. Ataluren is also being tested in phase III for cystic fibrosis caused by a nonsense mutation.

Gimeracil is a component of an oral fixed combination known under the name Teysuno or S-1 (tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil potassium at a molar ratio of 1:0.4:1). The formulation was approved in Asia and Europe for the treatment of a rare condition of gastric cancer. Given in combination, gimeracil enhances the efficacy of tegafur by inhibiting dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase, an enzyme involved in metabolism of tegafur and its active metabolite 5-fluorouracil.