Nintedanib is a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor with potential antiangiogenic and antineoplastic activities. It is the only kinase inhibitor drug approved to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. that targets multiple receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and non-receptor tyrosine kinases (nRTKs). Nintedanib inhibits the following RTKs: platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) α and β, fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) 1-3, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) 1-3, and Fms-like tyrosine kinase-3 (FLT3). Among them, FGFR, PDGFR, and VEGFR have been implicated in IPF pathogenesis. Nintedanib binds competitively to the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) binding pocket of these receptors and blocks the intracellular signaling which is crucial for the proliferation, migration, and transformation of fibroblasts representing essential mechanisms of the IPF pathology.

Apremilast (brand name Otezla) selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase 4 is used for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. OTEZLA is the first and only PDE4 inhibitor approved for the treatment of plaque psoriasis, a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin resulting from an uncontrolled immune response. Apremilast also inhibits spontaneous production of TNF-alpha from human rheumatoid synovial cells. It has anti-inflammatory activity. By inhibiting PDE-4, apremilast increases intracellular levels of cAMP and thereby inhibits the production of multiple proinflammatory mediators including PDE-4, TNF-alpha, interleukin-2 (IL-2), interferon-gamma, leukotrienes, and nitric oxide synthase.

Trametinib is a reversible and specific inhibitor of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinases MEK1 and MEK2 which are involved in a RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK signaling pathway and control cell growth, survival, and differentiation. By inhibiting MEK1 and MEK2 trametinib blocks dual phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and stops cell cycling. In addition, trametinib blocks BRAF pathway in the cells with BRAF V600E mutations. Trametinib (as a single agent and in combination with dabrafenib) is approved for the treatment of unresectable or metastatic melanoma with BRAF V600E or V600K mutations.

Riociguat is a potent, oral stimulator of soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC). It is the first member of a novel class of compounds, being developed by Bayer as an investigational, oral treatment to target a key molecular mechanism underlying pulmonary hypertension (PH). Riociguat demonstrated robust clinical efficacy in two separate PH indications: chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) and pulmonary arterial hypertension(PAH). Riociguat works in two ways: it sensitizes sGC to endogenous NO by stabilizing the NO-sGC binding and directly stimulates sGC via a different binding site, independently of NO. Riociguat stimulates the NO-sGC-cGMP pathway and leads to increased generation of cGMP with subsequent vasodilation. Through this unique way of working, riociguat decreases blood pressure within the pulmonary arteries that take blood from the heart to the lungs, reducing pressure on the heart leading to improved patient outcomes.

Eslicarbazepine acetate is a third generation antiepileptic drug indicated for the treatment of partial-onset seizures. Structurally, it belongs to the dibenzazepine family and is closely related to carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine. Eslicarbazepine acetate was developed by scientists in Portugal. Its main mechanism of action is by blocking the voltage-gated sodium channel. Eslicarbazepine acetate is a pro-drug that is rapidly metabolized almost exclusively into eslicarbazepine (S-licarbazepine), the biologically active drug. It has a favorable pharmacokinetic and drug-drug interaction profile. However, it may induce the metabolism of oral contraceptives and should be used with caution in females of child-bearing age.

Bazedoxifene acetate (WAY-140424; TSE-424) is an oral, nonsteroidal, indole-based selective estrogen-receptor modulator developed by Ligand Pharmaceuticals in collaboration with Wyeth Pharmaceuticals (NJ, USA) (now Pfizer) . It was developed using raloxifene as a template with the benzothiophene core substituted by an indole ring in order to obtain favorable effects on the skeleton and lipid metabolism with the additional improvement of a neutral effect on hot flushes and without stimulating the uterus or the breast. The drug is approved as a monotherapy for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and in combination with conjugated estrogens for the treatment of menopausal symptoms and prevention of osteoporosis. Bazedoxifene binds to both ERalpha and ERbeta with high affinity. Bazedoxifene acts as both a receptor agonist and/or antagonist, depending upon the cell and tissue type and target genes. Bazedoxifene decreases bone resorption and reduces biochemical markers of bone turnover to the premenopausal range. These effects on bone remodeling lead to an increase in bone mineral density (BMD), which in turn contributes to a reduction in the risk of fractures. Bazedoxifene functions primarily as an estrogen-receptor antagonist in uterine and breast tissues.

Pasireotide is a synthetic long-acting cyclic hexapeptide with somatostatin-like activity. It is marketed as a diaspartate salt called Signifor, indicated for the treatment of adult patients with Cushing’s disease for whom pituitary surgery is not an option or has not been curative. SIGNIFOR is an injectable cyclohexapeptide somatostatin analogue. Pasireotide exerts its pharmacological activity via binding to somatostatin receptors (ssts). Pasireotide binds and activates the hsst receptors resulting in inhibition of ACTH secretion, which leads to decreased cortisol secretion.

Tafluprost acid is a prostanoid selective FP receptor agonist that is believed to reduce the intraocular pressure (IOP) by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. Studies in animals and humans suggest that the main mechanism of action is increased uveoscleral outflow. A prostaglandin analogue ester prodrug used topically (as eye drops) to control the progression of glaucoma and in the management of ocular hypertension. Tafluprost was approved for use in the U.S. on February 10, 2012. Tafluprost, preserved and preservative-free formulations, received marketing approval for the reduction of elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) in open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension in several European and Nordic countries as well as Japan, and some other Asia Pacific markets.

(S)-crizotinib was discovered as an attractive chemical entity for further pre-clinical evaluation, and small-molecule inhibitors of MTH1 as a promising novel class of anticancer agents.

Icatibant (trade name Firazyr) is a synthetic peptidomimetic drug consisting of ten amino acids, and acts as an effective and specific antagonist of bradykinin B2 receptors. It has been approved in the EU for use in hereditary angioedema, and is under investigation for a number of other conditions in which bradykinin is thought to play a significant role. Icatibant currently has orphan drug status in the United States and FDA approved on August 25, 2011. Icatibant inhibits bradykinin from binding the B2 receptor and thereby treats the clinical symptoms of an acute, episodic attack of HAE.