Levomilnacipran (1S, 2R/F2695) is an enantiomer of milnacipran, a serotonin/norepinephrine (5-HT/NE) reuptake inhibitor. Levomilnacipran is pharmacologically more active as compared with racemic mixture and dextromilnacipran (1R, 2S/F2696). The safety of the drug is also higher than the safety of a racemate, resulting in a beneficial impact on the therapeutic effect. Pierre Fabre and Forest Laboratories are developing levomilnacipran extended release (ER) [FETZIMA™], an enantiomer of milnacipran, for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). In addition, Pierre Fabre (the originator of the compound) is developing the drug to improve recovery in patients with ischaemic stroke.

Dextromilnacipran (1R, 2S/F2696) is an enantiomer of milnacipran, a serotonin/norepinephrine (5-HT/NE) reuptake inhibitor. Dextromilnacipran is pharmacologically less active as compared with racemic mixture and levomilnacipran (1S, 2R/F2695).

Eltrombopag is a thrombopoietin (TPO) nonpeptide mimetic administered orally that activates the TPO receptor by binding to the transmembrane domain and initiates signaling cascades that induce proliferation and differentiation of megakaryocytes from bone marrow progenitor cells. Eltrombopag under brand name promacta is approved for the treatment of the low blood platelet counts in adults with chronic immune (idiopathic) thrombocytopenia (ITP), when certain other medicines, or surgery to remove the spleen, have not worked well enough. ITP is a condition that may cause unusual bruising or bleeding due to an abnormally low number of platelets in the blood. Eltrombopag has also been approved for the treatment of thrombocytopenia (low blood platelet counts) in patients with chronic hepatitis C to allow them to initiate and maintain interferon-based therapy and to treat patients with severe aplastic anemia who have had an insufficient response to immunosuppressive therapy.

Temsirolimus is an intravenous drug for the treatment of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), developed by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and approved by the FDA in late May 2007, and was also approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMEA) on November 2007. It is a derivative of sirolimus and is sold as Torisel. Temsirolimus is an inhibitor of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin). Temsirolimus binds to an intracellular protein (FKBP-12), and the protein-drug complex inhibits the activity of mTOR that controls cell division. Inhibition of mTOR activity resulted in a G1 growth arrest in treated tumor cells. When mTOR was inhibited, its ability to phosphorylate p70S6k and S6 ribosomal protein, which are downstream of mTOR in the PI3 kinase/AKT pathway was blocked. In in vitro studies using renal cell carcinoma cell lines, temsirolimus inhibited the activity of mTOR and resulted in reduced levels of the hypoxia-inducible factors HIF-1 and HIF-2 alpha, and the vascular endothelial growth factor.

Ranolazine is a metabolic modulator developed by Syntex (Roche) and sold under the trade name Ranexa by Gilead Sciences. Ranexa has antianginal and anti-ischemic effects that do not depend upon reductions in heart rate or blood pressure. The mechanism of action of ranolazine is unknown. It does not increase the rate-pressure product, a measure of myocardial work, at maximal exercise. In vitro studies suggest that ranolazine is a P-gp inhibitor. Ranolazine is believed to have its effects via altering the trans-cellular late sodium current. It is by altering the intracellular sodium level that ranolazine affects the sodium-dependent calcium channels during myocardial ischemia. Thus, ranolazine indirectly prevents the calcium overload that causes cardiac ischemia. Because Ranexa prolongs the QT interval, it should be reserved for patients who have not achieved an adequate response with other antianginal drugs. Ranexa should be used in combination with amlodipine, beta-blockers or nitrates. The effect on angina rate or exercise tolerance appeared to be smaller in women than men.

Posaconazole is a triazole antifungal drug that is used to treat invasive infections by Candida species and Aspergillus species in severely immunocompromised patients. It marketed in the United States, the European Union, and in other countries by Schering-Plough under the trade name Noxafil. Noxafil is used for prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus and Candida infections in patients, 13 years of age and older, who are at high risk of developing these infections due to being severely immunocompromised as a result of procedures such as hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients with graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), or due to hematologic malignancies with prolonged neutropenia from chemotherapy. Also for the treatment of oropharyngeal candidiasis, including oropharyngeal candidiasis refractory to itraconazole and/or fluconazole. Posaconazole blocks the synthesis of ergosterol, a key component of the fungal cell membrane, through the inhibition of cytochrome P-450 dependent enzyme lanosterol 14α-demethylase responsible for the conversion of lanosterol to ergosterol in the fungal cell membrane. This results in an accumulation of methylated sterol precursors and a depletion of ergosterol within the cell membrane thus weakening the structure and function of the fungal cell membrane. This may be responsible for the antifungal activity of posaconazole. It is absorbed within three to five hours and predominately eliminated through the liver, and has a half-life of about 35 hours. Oral administration of posaconazole taken with a high-fat meal exceeds 90% bioavailability and increases the concentration by four times compared to fasting state.

Ciclesonide is a glucocorticoid receptor agonist indicated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis (Omnaris nasal spray) and asthma (Alvesco). It was also developed by Byk Gulden for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but no development had been reported for this indication since 1999. Ciclesonide is a pro-drug and rapidly metabolized to C21-desisobutyryl-ciclesonide which is more potent toward GR receptor than the parent drug.

CRESTOR (rosuvastatin calcium) is an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. It has been widely launched for the treatment of patients with dyslipidaemia and has also been approved in the US and EU to slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Desloratadine is an active, descarboethoxy metabolite of loratadine. It acts by selective inhibition of H1 histamine receptor and thus provides relief to patients with allergic rhinitis and chronic idiopathic urticaria. Desloratadine was approved by FDA and it is currently marketed under the name Clarinex (among the others).