VBP-15 FREE ALCOHOL, also known as Vamorolone and VBP-15, is an anti-inflammatory compound used in the treatment of muscular dystrophy. Vamorolone is a dissociative steroid that retains high affinity binding and nuclear translocation of both glucocorticoid (agonist) and mineralocorticoid (antagonist) receptors, but does not show pharmacodynamic safety concerns of existing glucocorticoid drugs at up to 20 mg/kg/day. Vamorolone is a first-in-class steroidal multi-functional drug that shows potent inhibition of pro-inflammatory NFkB pathways via high-affinity binding to the glucocorticoid receptor, high affinity antagonism for the mineralocorticoid receptor, and membrane stabilization properties. Pre-clinical data in multiple mouse models of inflammation showed retention of anti-inflammatory efficacy, but loss of most or all side effects. Vamorolone has received Orphan Drug Designation in the US and Europe and is being developed for chronic treatment of boys with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).

Palovarotene (R-667, RO-3300074) was developed by Roche Holding AG as a selective retinoic acid receptor gamma agonist for the treatment of emphysema. Phase I clinical trials of palovarotene in patients with emphysema demonstrated that the drug is well tolerated, with improvements observed in markers of emphysema progression. Unlike all-trans retinoic acid, the pharmacokinetic profile of palovarotene appears to be dose-proportional. However, those studies were discontinued. Palovarotene is also being investigated in phase II of the clinical trial in the treatment of Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). Palovarotene received Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and orphan designations for the treatment of FOP from both the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Pacritinib (SB1518), discovered in Singapore at the labs of S*BIO Pte Ltd., is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) with activity against two important activating mutations: Janus Associated Kinase 2 (JAK2) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3). The JAK family of enzymes is a central component in signal transduction pathways, which are critical to normal blood cell growth and development as well as inflammatory cytokine expression and immune responses. Activating mutations of JAK2 are implicated in certain blood-related cancers, including myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), leukemia and certain solid tumors. FLT3 is a gene commonly found mutated in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Pacritinib has demonstrated encouraging results in Phase 1 and 2 studies for patients with myelofibrosis and may offer an advantage over other JAK inhibitors through effective treatment of symptoms while having less treatment-emergent thrombocytopenia and anemia than has been seen in currently approved and in-development JAK inhibitors. Pacritinib is acquired by Cell Therapeutics, Inc. (CTI) and Baxter international and could effectively address an unmet medical need for patients living with myelofibrosis who face treatment-emergent thrombocytopenia on marketed JAK inhibitors. Currently Pacritinib is undergoing preregistration for myelofibrosis.

Mitapivat, also known as PKM2 activator 1020, is an activator of a pyruvate kinase PKM2, an enzyme involved in glycolysis. It was disclosed in a patent publication WO 2011002817 A1 as compound 78.

MYK-461 (also known as Mavacamten) is a small-molecule modulator of cardiac myosin that targets the underlying sarcomere hypercontractility of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, one of the most prevalent heritable cardiovascular disorders. Studies on isolated cells and muscle fibers, as well as intact animals, have shown that MYK-461 inhibits sarcomere force production, thereby reducing cardiac contractility. In Phase II clinical trials MYK-461 reduces left ventricular outflow tract obstruction and improve exercise capacity and symptoms in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Phase III clinical trials are currently ongoing.

Trofinetide (NNZ 2566), a proprietary small molecule analogue of glycine-proline-glutamate [Glypromate®], is being developed by Neuren Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of brain injuries, fragile X syndrome, Rett syndrome. Trofinetide is a synthetic analogue of a naturally occurring neurotrophic peptide derived from IGF-1, a growth factor produced by brain cells. In animal models, trofinetide exhibits a wide range of important effects including inhibiting neuroinflammation, normalizing the role of microglia and correcting deficits in synaptic function. Trofinetide is being developed both in intravenous and oral formulations for a range of acute and chronic conditions. The intravenous form of trofinetide is presently in a Phase 2 clinical trial in patients with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury. The oral form of trofinetide is in Phase 2 development in Rett syndrome, Fragile X syndrome and mild traumatic brain injury (concussion). Trofinetide has been granted Fast Track Status and Orphan Drug Designation in the U.S. and Orphan Drug Designation in Europe for both Rett syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.