Deflazacort is a glucocorticoid developed for the treatment of different inflammatory and immune conditions. The drug is rapidly metabolized to an active metabolite, 21-hydroxy-deflazaxort that may cross the blood brain barrier. Deflazacort acts by suppressing inflammatory response.

Elamipretide or SS-31 (D-Arg-2', 6'-dimethyltyrosine-Lys-Phe-NH2) is a mitochondria-targeted antioxidant. Elamipretide, is a peptide compound that readily penetrates cell membranes, and targets the inner mitochondrial membrane where it binds reversibly to cardiolipin. In preclinical or clinical studies, elamipretide increases mitochondrial respiration, improves the electron transport chain function and ATP production and reduces formation of pathogenic ROS levels. This elamipretide-cardiolipin association has been shown to normalize the structure of the inner mitochondrial membrane, thereby improving mitochondrial function. Functional benefit is achieved through improvement of ATP production and interruption and potential reversal of damaging oxidative stress. Stealth BioTherapeutics is investigating elamipretide in late stage clinical studies in three primary mitochondrial diseases—primary mitochondrial myopathy, Barth syndrome and Leber’s hereditary optic neuropathy – as well as an earlier stage clinical study in dry age-related macular degeneration.

N-Gene Research Laboratories is developing BGP-15 (NP-51), a small molecule, orally available, indirect Jun kinase (JNK) inhibitor and insulin sensitiser, for glycaemic control in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus, and as an adjunct treatment for insulin resistance due to antipsychotics or obesity. In March 2002, N-Gene Research Laboratories granted Allos Therapeutics an exclusive license to its intellectual property surrounding BGP 15 in the US. BGP-15 has previously been used in clinical trials for the treatment of skeletal muscle pathology associated with Type 2 Diabetes (through insulin sensitization), Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and heart failure (through anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic mechanisms). Via its action as a modulator of the cytoprotective response to cellularstress, and specifically as a poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor, heat shock protein-inducer, membrane lipid therapeutic and an antioxidant inducer, BGP-15 has previously been shown to protect against skeletal muscle dysfunction, damage and wasting.

Halofuginone is a low molecular weight quinazolinone alkaloid, and a potent inhibitor of collagen alpha1(I) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) gene expression. Halofuginone also effectively suppresses tumor progression and metastasis in mice. Halofuginone is a potent inhibitor of collagen a1(I) and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) gene expression. Halofuginone also suppresses extracellular matrix deposition and cell proliferation. Also was shown that halofuginone increased apoptosis in α smooth muscle actin- and prolyl 4-hydroxylase β-expressing cells in mdx diaphragm and in myofibroblasts, the major source of extracellular matrix. The profound antitumoral effect of halofuginone is attributed to its combined inhibition of tumour-stromal support, vascularization, invasiveness, and cell proliferation. HT-100 (delayed-release halofuginone), currently in clinical phase 1b/2a in five U.S. hospitals, is a small molecule drug candidate taken orally for the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients primarily through its ability to reduce fibrosis and inflammation and promote muscle fiber regeneration. The medicine candidate has been granted orphan drug designation in the U.S. and the EU — meaning it has been commercially undeveloped due to its limited profitability — and fast-track designation in the U.S. — an FDA process that aims to facilitate the development and patients’ reach to novel therapies for unmet medical needs.

Luminol (5-amino-2,3-dihydro-1,4-phthalazinedione) is a yellow-colored crystalline solid powder and soluble in most polar organic solvents, but insoluble in water. An alkaline solution of luminol oxidized by oxidizing agents exhibits chemiluminescence. Luminol was first synthesized by Schmitz in 1902, the chemiluminescence property of luminol was first discovered by Albrecht in 1928. Luminol is one of the most widely used chemiluminescent compounds because of its availability and low cost. Luminol-based methods are used in environmental monitoring as biosensors, in the pharmaceutical industry for cellular localization and as biological tracers, and in reporter gene-based assays and several other immunoassays.