Depelestat is a small-protein neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor. The elastase at the neutrophil surface was fully inhibited by depelestat and formed soluble complexes. The elastase in cystic fibrosis sputum supernatants was inhibited by stoichiometric amounts of depelestat, allowing titration of the protease. But the percentage of inhibition in whole sputum homogenates varied from 50 to 100%. Depelestat could reduce neutrophil trans-epithelial migration and reduce activity released from neutrophils and NE-induced cytokine expression in airway epithelial cells. NE inhibition could be useful in managing neutrophilic airway inflammation in cystic fibrosis.

Glepaglutide (also known as ZP 1848), a long-acting glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analog that was developed for patients with reduced or complete loss of intestinal function. In October 2017 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Orphan Products Development (OOPD) has granted an orphan drug designation to glepaglutide for the treatment of the rare disease short bowel syndrome (SBS). Many people with SBS are dependent on the frequent intake of intravenous fluids and nutrition delivered through a central catheter. Currently, glepaglutide is participating in a phase III clinical trial to determine the safety and efficacy of subcutaneous injection of the drug for the treatment of SBS.