G-0853 (also GDC-0853, or Fenebrutinib) is a potent, selective, orally administered, and noncovalent Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibitor currently in clinical development. Upon administration, G-0853 inhibits the activity of Btk and prevents the activation of the B-cell antigen receptor (BCR) signaling pathway. This prevents both B-cell activation and Btk-mediated activation of downstream survival pathways, which leads to the inhibition of the growth of malignant B-cells that overexpress BTK. BTK is overexpressed in B-cell malignancies, and plays an important role in B-lymphocyte development, activation, signaling, proliferation and survival. G-0853 suppresses B cell- and myeloid cell-mediated components of disease and demonstrates dose-dependent activity in an in vivo rat model of inflammatory arthritis. G-0853 demonstrates highly favorable safety, pharmacokinetic (PK), and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles in preclinical and Phase 2 studies ongoing in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and chronic spontaneous urticaria.

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.

Solcitinib (also known as GSK2586184 or GLPG0778) is a selective Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor, for the treatment of psoriasis, lupus, and ulcerative colitis. Galapagos NV's collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline has hit a roadblock. It was reported that its Big Pharma partner had hit the brakes on a Phase II study of GSK2586184 for lupus after a first look at the data failed to demonstrate a positive effect. And an exploratory Phase I/II of the same drug for ulcerative colitis was put on hold as investigators review the program.

Novartis Oncology (previously Novartis) is developing WNT-974 (formerly LGK 974), a first-in-class selective small molecule inhibitor of O-acyltransferase. WNT-974 is under development for the treatment of cancers that are driven by the Wnt pathway in a Wnt ligand-dependent manner. Upon oral administration, WNT-974 binds to and inhibits PORCN in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), which blocks post-translational acylation of Wnt ligands and inhibits their secretion. This prevents the activation of Wnt ligands, interferes with Wnt-mediated signaling, and inhibits cell growth in Wnt-driven tumors. Porcupine, a membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT), is required for the palmitoylation of Wnt ligands, and plays a key role in Wnt ligand secretion and activity. Wnt signaling is dysregulated in a variety of cancers

TRC-150094 is a synthetic compound that displays the capacity to stimulate energy expenditure. TRC-150094 increases whole body energy expenditure, increases mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (FAO), and reduces abdominal adiposity in rats fed a high-fat diet. TRC-150094 attenuates the progression of hypertension, insulin resistance, dysglycemia, and atherogenic dyslipidemia, factors reported to signify significant cardiovascular (CV) risk amongst viscerally obese dysglycemic subjects. Moreover, at organ level, TRC150094 reduced steatohepatitis, reduced progression of nephropathy, and preserved cardiac contractile function. Pharmacological profile of TRC-150094 may constitute a promising new class of molecules that may have a potential beneficial therapeutic approach for the treatment of nontraditional CV risk factors and may reduce residual risk in viscerally obese dysglycemic patients. Moreover, the observed metabolic and functional effects on skeletal muscle suggest that TRC-150094 as a therapy may help to facilitate adherence to prescribed exercise, which would remain the mainstay along with diet control in such patients. Simultaneous systemic administration of TRC-150094 to rats receiving an high-fat diet results in a reduction in fat accumulation within the liver and a marked reduction in adipose tissue mass. TRC-150094 is in phase-III clinical trials for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidaemias (adjunctive treatment) in India.

Amcasertib is an orally administered investigational agent designed to inhibit cancer stemness pathways, including Nanog, by targeting stemness kinases. Amcasertib is undergoing multiple Phase I and Phase II studies as monotherapy and combination therapy for treating a range of tumor types.