AMG-151 [AMG 151, ARRY-403] was under development with Amgen for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). AMG 151 binds to glucose-bound glucokinase distinctly from glucose- or adenosine triphosphate–binding sites to activate glucokinase selectively. AMG 151 was in a phase I trial for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. AMG 151 in a twice-daily dosing regimen decreased fasting and postprandial glucose in patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin. In all AMG 151 once-daily dose groups and in the AMG 151 200-mg twice-daily dose group, significant reductions were observed in glucose AUC0–240 in after a MTT from baseline to day 28 compared with placebo. However, Amgen disconinued the development of AMG-151.

ARN-810 (GDC-0810) is a novel, orally bioavailable, estrogen receptor antagonist that induces proteasomal estrogen receptor degradation in breast cancer cell lines at picomolar concentrations and tumor regression in tamoxifen-sensitive and resistant BC xenograft models. Results from a first-in-human phase I/IIa study of ARN-810 indicate that it is tolerable and may benefit some postmenopausal women with advanced estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Development of ARN-810 was discontinued.

AZD 9496 was discovered by AstraZeneca as a potent and selective estrogen receptor downregulator (SERD). This drug participated in phase I clinical trials to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profiles and the safety and tolerability of the different forms, formulations, and doses for the treatment of patients with breast cancer.

Alpha methyltryptamine (AMT) is a tryptamine (indole ethylamine) derivative, which was developed in the 1960's by Upjohn with the intention for use as an antidepressant. It was used in Russia under the trade name Indopan for the treatment of Bipolar disorder and some form of depression, but currently not being produced because of serious side effects. In the 1990's, alpha-methyltryptamine became regulated as a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States. Pharmacologically, AMT has high affinity for the serotonin (5-HT) transporter, a number of 5-HT receptors, and potently inhibits reuptake of monoamines dopamine, 5-HT, and norepinephrine reuptake. AMT is also a monoamine oxidase A inhibitor that conceivably could contribute to its pharmacological effect and this drug also the most potent inhibitor of semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO).

GDC-0994 (RG7842) is a selective inhibitor of ERK1/2, also known as extracellular-signal-regulated kinases. Daily, oral dosing of GDC-0994 results in significant single-agent activity in multiple in vivo cancer models, including KRAS-mutant and BRAF-mutant human xenograft tumors in mice. GDC-0994 neither increases nor decreases phospho-ERK, suggesting that different ERK inhibitors have alternative mechanisms of action with respect to feedback signaling. GDC-0994 is currently advancing in a Phase 1 trial in patients with solid tumors.

2-(4,6-DIMETHYLPYRIMIDIN-2-YL)-5-((2-FLUORO-6-(2H-1,2,3-TRIAZOL-2-YL)PHENYL)CARBONYL)OCTAHYDROPYRROLO(3,4-C)PYRROLE (Seltorexant, MIN 202), a small molecule, selective orexin receptor type-2 antagonist, is being developed by Minerva Neurosciences and Janssen Research & Development for the treatment of insomnia and major depressive disorder. Seltorexant has shown high in vitro affinity (affinity pKi =8.0 and 6.1 for OX2R and OX1R respectively) for the human OX2R and approximates two logs selectivity ratio versus its affinity for the OX1R. Seltorexant demonstrated a dose-dependent normalization of sleep and a trend towards improvement of subjective depressive symptoms in antidepressant-treated MDD patients with residual insomnia. Additionally, seltorexant’s favorable PK profile as a potential sedative-hypnotic drug was confirmed in a MDD population and did not demonstrate unacceptable adverse events or unwanted next-day CNS effects. Seltorexant is in phase II clinical trials for both insomnia and MDD.

CUDC-305, is a novel heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) inhibitor with strong affinity for HSP90 alpha/beta, high oral bioavailability and potent anti-proliferative activity against a broad range of cancer cell lines (with a mean IC50 of 220 nmol/L), including many non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines which are resistant to standard-of-care (SOC) agents. In both laboratory and animal testing, CUDC-305 demonstrated high potency in vitro and/or in vivo across a wide range of cancers. Most notably, Curis scientists observed complete tumor regression following oral administration of CUDC-305 in a mouse xenograft model of acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Tumor regression has also been observed after treatment of CUDC-305 in mouse xenograft models of breast, non-small cell lung, gastric cancer and glioblastoma brain cancers. In this preclinical testing, the compound also demonstrated an ability to effectively cross the blood brain barrier, and demonstrated an ability to extend survival in an intracranial glioblastoma model. Early stage toxicity studies suggest that CUDC-305 appears to have a better therapeutic window than several leading Hsp90 inhibitors in clinical development.

4‐Chlorokynurenine (AV-101) is a neuropharmaceutical drug candidate in development for the treatment of major depressive disorder. Pharmacology studies conducted in rodent models have demonstrated AV-101’s antihyperalgesic activity in models of facilitated pain processing was seen at serum concentrations ranging from 150–300 M. In addition, AV-101 has been shown to be neuroprotective activity against an intrahippocampal injection of quinolinic acid, reductions in seizures, and antidepressive activity. An oral prodrug, AV-101, which, in the brain, is converted into one of the most potent and selective GlyB site antagonists of the NMDAR, has been demonstrated to be active in animal models of neuropathic pain. The two Phase 1 studies were designed to assess the safety and pharmacokinetics of AV-101, over a wide dose range, after daily dosing for 14-days. AV-101 has excellent safety and PK characteristics providing support for advancing AV-101 into Phase 2 studies in neuropathic pain.