KX-01 is a dual inhibitor of Src kinase and tubulin polymerization. KX01 promotes the induction of p53, G2/M arrest of proliferating cell populations and subsequent apoptosis via the stimulation of Caspase-3 and PARP cleavage. The drug was developed by Kinex Pharmaceuticals and reached phase II of clinical trials for the treatment of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer and Actinic Keratosis. KX-01 demonstrated good in vitro pofile against different cancer cell lines with IC50 in nanomolar range.

Relebactum sodium (MK-7655) is a piperidine analog 3 that inhibits class A and C β-lactamases (in vitro). It is being investigated for use in treatment of infectious diseases, such as treatment of gram-negative bacterial infections. Its potential as an alternative to existing medicines in the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections is being studied. Clinical trials have been conducted and are still ongoing to evaluate the efficacy and safety of relebactum sodium in treatment of intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections (such as pyelonephritis), hospital-acquired and ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonias, and gram-negative bacterial infections.

Erdafitinib (JNJ-42756493) is a potent and selective orally bioavailable, pan fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitor with potential antineoplastic activity. It was discovered in collaboration with Janssen Pharmaceutica, N.V. from a partnership which commenced in June 2008. Astex’s FGFr inhibitor program originated from a collaboration initiated in 2005 with the Cancer Research UK Drug Discovery Group at the Newcastle Cancer Centre (Newcastle University UK), and Cancer Research Technology Limited. JNJ42756493 is currently being evaluated by Janssen in Phase 2 clinical trials in patients with urothelial cancer, advanced hepatocellular carcinoma, advanced non-small lung cancer, esophageal cancer or cholangiocarcinoma. JNJ-42756493 is a potent, oral pan-FGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor with half-maximal inhibitory concentration values in the low nanomolar range for all members of the FGFR family (FGFR1 to FGFR4), with minimal activity on vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR) kinases compared with FGFR kinases (approximately 20-fold potency difference). In vitro, the proliferation of cells treated with JNJ-42756493 is decreased, associated with increased apoptotic death and decreased cell survival. It is also in phase I trials for the treatment of advanced refractory solid tumors or advanced refractory hematologic cancer.

Tafamidis meglumine (Vyndaqel®, Pfizer) is a novel, first-in-class drug for the treatment of transthyretin familial amyloid polyneuropathy (TTR-FAP), a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive sensory, motor and autonomic impairment that is ultimately fatal. Pathogenic mutations in the transthyretin (TTR) protein lead to destabilization of its tetrameric structure and subsequent formation of amyloid aggregates. Tafamidis is a small-molecule inhibitor that binds selectively to TTR in human plasma and kinetically stabilizes the tetrameric structure of both wild-type TTR and a number of different mutants. Clinical trials indicate that tafamidis slows disease progression in patients with TTR-FAP and reduces the burden of disease, demonstrating improvement in small and large nerve fiber function, modified body mass index and lower extremity neurological examination. Tafamidis meglumine has been launched for TTR FAP in the EU, Japan, Argentina, Malta and Mexico, and is preregistration in the US for this indication.

ODM-201 (also known as BAY-1841788) is a non-steroidal antiandrogen, specifically, a full and high-affinity antagonist of the androgen receptor (AR), that is under development by Orion and Bayer HealthCare for the treatment of advanced, castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). ODM-201 appears to negligibly cross the blood-brain-barrier. This is beneficial due to the reduced risk of seizures and other central side effects from off-target GABAA receptor inhibition that tends to occur in non-steroidal antiandrogens that are structurally similar to enzalutamide. Moreover, in accordance with its lack of central penetration, ODM-201 does not seem to increase testosterone levels in mice or humans, unlike other non-steroidal antiandrogens. Another advantage is that ODM-201 has been found to block the activity of all tested/well-known mutant ARs in prostate cancer, including the recently-identified clinically-relevant F876L mutation. ODM-201 has been studied in phase I and phase II clinical trials and has thus far been found to be effective and well-tolerated, with the most commonly reported side effects including fatigue, nausea, and diarrhea. No seizures have been observed.

Entrectinib (previously known as RXDX-101, NMS-E628) is an investigational drug, potent inhibitor of ALK, ROS1, and, importantly, of TRK family kinases, which shows promise for therapy of tumors bearing oncogenic forms of these proteins. Entrectinib (RXDX-101) is a selective inhibitor for all three Trk receptor tyrosine kinases encoded by the three NTRK genes, as well as the ROS1 and ALKreceptor tyrosine kinases.This investigational drug is active at low nanomolar concentrations, allowing for once-daily oral administration to patients whose tumors have been shown to have gene rearrangements in NTRK, ROS1, or ALK. Nerviano Medical Sciences, the original sponsor for entrectinib (formerly referred to as NMS-1191372), initiated the first-in-human Phase 1 study ALKA-372-001 in Italy in October 2012. The study is currently ongoing in Italy. Entrectinib is currently being tested in a global phase 2 basket clinical trial called STARTRK-2. In the U.S., entrectinib has orphan drug designation and rare pediatric disease designation for the treatment of neuroblastoma and orphan drug designation for treatment of TrkA-, TrkB-, TrkC-, ROS1- and ALK-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC).

Siponimod (BAF312) is a dual agonist at the sphingosine-1 phosphate receptors, S1PR1 and S1PR5. The S1P receptor is commonly found on the surface of specific cells residing in the central nervous system (CNS), that are responsible for causing CNS damage that drives loss of function in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Siponimod (BAF312) enters the brain and by binding to these specific receptors, may prevent the activation of these harmful cells, helping to reduce the loss of physical and cognitive function associated with SPMS.

Tafenoquine is anti-malaria drug originated in Walter reed army institute of research and developed by GSK and 60 Degrees Pharmaceuticals. In 2018 United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved single dose tafenoquine for the radical cure (prevention of relapse) of Plasmodium vivax malaria. Tafenoquine, an 8-aminoquinoline antimalarial, is active against all the stages of Plasmodium species that include the hypnozoite (dormant stage) in the liver. Studies in vitro with the erythrocytic forms of Plasmodium falciparum suggest that tafenoquine may exert its effect by inhibiting hematin polymerization and inducing apoptotic like death of the parasite. In addition to its effect on the parasite, tafenoquine causes red blood cell shrinkage in vitro. Tafenoquine is active against pre-erythrocytic (liver) and erythrocytic (asexual) forms as well as gametocytes of Plasmodium species that include P. falciparum and P. vivax. The activity of tafenoquine against the pre-erythrocytic liver stages of the parasite, prevents the development of the erythrocytic forms of the parasite.

Cannabidiol is the major nonpsychoactive ingredient in cannabis. Cannabidiol demonstrates a range of effects that may be therapeutically useful, including anti-seizure, antioxidant, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-tumor, anti-psychotic, and anti-anxiety properties. Exact mechanism of action of cannabidiol is not known, but may include effects on the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR55; the transient receptor potential of vanilloid type-1 channel; the 5-HT1a receptor; and the α3 glycine receptors. GW Pharmaceuticals successfully developed the world’s first prescription medicine derived from the cannabis plant, Sativex® (buccal spray containing delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol) now approved in over 29 countries outside of the United States for the treatment of spasticity due to Multiple Sclerosis. GW Pharmaceuticals is developing Epidiolex® (a liquid formulation of pure plant-derived cannabidiol) for certain rare and severe early-onset, drug-resistant epilepsy syndromes.