Semapimod (CNI-1493) is a cytokine inhibitor and synthetic guanylhydrazone mitogen-activated protein kinase blocker, is being developed by Cytokine PharmaSciences as a potential treatment for Crohn's disease and other inflammatory conditions. As of December 2001, a phase I study demonstrating the safety of the compound had been completed and phase II trials for psoriasis and Crohn's disease were ongoing. In April 2003, preclinical and early clinical studies were underway for a variety of indications, including congestive heart failure and pancreatitis. Semapimod inhibits activation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB and induction of cyclooxygenase-2 by TLR ligands, but not by IL-1β or stresses. Semapimod inhibits TLR4 signaling (IC50 ≈0.3 umol) and acts by desensitizing cells to LPS; it fails to block responses to LPS concentrations of ≥5 ug/ml. Semapimod had been in phase II clinical trials by Ferring Pharmaceuticals for the treatment of Crohn's disease. However, this research has been discontinued. Semapimod is in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of autoimmune disorders and inflammation.

KW-2478 is a novel and potent non-ansamycin inhibitor of heat shock protein 90 designed to overcome the limitations, including low water solubility and hepatotoxicity, of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG). KW-2478 exerts a strong antitumor activity against multiple myeloma (MM) cells with various chromosomal translocations. KW-2478 inhibits cell growth and apoptosis associated with Hsp90 client protein degradation. Recent study results have revealed that KW-2478 is able to deplete Hsp90 client Cdk9 and the phosphorylated 4E-BP1, a transcriptional kinase and a transcription inhibitor respectively, leading to reduced expression of FGFR3, c-Maf, and cyclin D1. KW-2478 suppresses tumor growth and induces the degradation of client proteins in tumors in NCI-H929 s.c. inoculated model at doses of 100 mg/kg or more. KW-2478 reduces both serum M protein and MM tumor burden in the bone marrow in OPM-2/GFP i.v. inoculated mouse model at doses of 100 mg/kg.

Carboxyamidotriazole (L651582) is a carboxyamide-amino-imidazole compound originally developed as a coccidiostat, an antiprotozoal agent that acts upon Coccidia parasites. Carboxyamidotriazole (L651582) is an orally-active agent with potential antineoplastic activity. Carboxyamidotriazole binds to and inhibits non-voltage-operated Ca2 channels, blocking both Ca2 influx into cells and Ca2 release from intracellular stores and resulting in the disruption of calcium channel-mediated signal transduction and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, endothelial proliferation, and angiogenesis. This agent may also inhibit tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Deoxyspergualin is a derivative of the antitumor antibiotic spergualin, that used as an immunosuppressive drug. Deoxyspergualin shows immunosuppressive activity both in vitro and in vivo, affecting B-lymphocyte, T-lymphocyte and macrophage/monocyte function. In rodents and human cell systems, Deoxyspergualin shows a dose-dependent inhibition of primary and secondary responses to T-, B- and antigen-presenting cell-dependent reactions. Deoxyspergualin also blocks nuclear translocation of NF-kB in a pre-B-cell line, thereby affecting NF-kB driven transcription of the kappa light chain. Deoxyspergualin inhibits desoxyhypusine synthase, the first enzyme in the formation of active eukaryotic translation initiation factor 5A. This factor is important for the stabilization of certain mRNA transcripts (TNF-a and others). The immunosuppressive properties of Deoxyspergualin have been demonstrated in preclinical animal studies including Systemic lupus erythematosus models. In humans with glucocorticoidresistant kidney transplant rejection, Deoxyspergualin shows the same efficacy rate as the strongly T-cell depleting anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody. Deoxyspergualin has been licensed in Japan for acute renal allograft rejection since 1994. In 2003, an open clinical trial successfully tested Deoxyspergualin in patients with persistent ANCA-associated vasculitis. Adverse events (AE) were common but rarely led to treatment discontinuation. Against this background, Deoxyspergualin was granted an orphan drug status for the treatment of Wegener’s granulomatosis by the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

Amonafide is an imide derivative of naphthalic acid. It is a novel topoisomerase II (Topo II) inhibitor and DNA intercalator that induces apoptotic signaling by blocking the binding of Topo II to DNA. Amonafide retains cytotoxic activity even in the presence of P-glycoprotein (Pgp)-mediated multi-drug resistance (MDR). It is a new investigational anticancer drug. Amonafide has been extensively studied in patients with malignant solid tumors, like prostate cancer, breast cancer and others. When its usefulness in the treatment of various solid malignancies proved limited, focus was shifted to establishing its use as an antileukemic agent, specifically against secondary and treatment-associated acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

P276-00 (also known as riviciclib) is a novel, potent, small-molecule, flavone-derived inhibitor of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdk), Cdk 4 D1, Cdk1 B, and Cdk9 T, with potent cytotoxic effects against chemosensitive and chemoresistant cancer cell lines. P276-00 was in phase II clinical trial for the treatment mantle cell lymphoma, but that study was terminated based on interim results and all subjects were off study at that time. Although, there were not the major safety or tolerability concerns. However, this drug successfully passed phase II clinical trial for the treatment Melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck, malignant melanoma and in combination with Gemcitabine in the treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Acetorphine is a synthetic narcotic analgesic. Acetorphine was reported to have uses in veterinary medicine with pronounced advantages in the immobilization of the giraffe in which toxic effects were reduced as compared to the effects of etorphine. In July 1966, the Director-General of the World Health Organization informed the Secretary-General that WHO had arrived at the conclusion that etorphine and acetorphine should be included in Schedule I of the Convention, since they could give rise to similar abuse, and produce similar ill effects as the substances already listed therein. Acetorphine is a Schedule I controlled substance in the United States.

Cethexonium is a cyclohexanols derivative with antimicrobial activities.

Evacetrapib (LY2484595) is a novel benzazepine-based CETP inhibitor that has been developed at Lilly Research Laboratories. Evacetrapib inhibits CETP with IC50 of 5.5 nM, elevates HDL cholesterol without increases in aldosterone or blood pressure. Phase 3. On 01 Sep 2016 Eli Lilly terminates the phase III ACCENTUATE trial in Hyperlipidaemia (Adjunctive treatment) in USA and Puerto Rico (PO) due to insufficient efficacy (NCT02227784).

Pevonedistat (MLN4924), discovered by Millennium, is a small molecule inhibitor of the NEDD8-Activating Enzyme (NAE), a key component of the protein homeostasis pathway. MLN4924 is a mechanism-based inhibitor of NAE and creates a covalent NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct catalyzed by the enzyme. The NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct resembles NEDD8 adenylate, the first intermediate in the NAE reaction cycle, but cannot be further utilized in subsequent intraenzyme reactions. The stability of the NEDD8-MLN4924 adduct within the NAE active site blocks enzyme activity, thereby accounting for the potent inhibition of the NEDD8 pathway by MLN4924. This drug is in phase II clinical trial for the treatment acute myeloid leukemia, chronic myelomonocytic leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes. In addition in phase I for treatment acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The ability of MLN4924 to cross the blood-brain barrier, its low toxicity, and clinical efficacy in other cancers suggests that this drug is an attractive treatment against glioblastomas.