GLPG-0492, an orally available selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) was tested in a Phase I Proof of Mechanism study to assess the effect on muscle function in healthy volunteers. A biomarker effect similar to that of Oxandrolone was observed, but the data were insufficient for Galapagos to pursue GLPG-0492 further in cachexia, and further development of the compound was discontinued. GLPG-0492 is currently under development for musculo-skeletal diseases such as sarcopenia and Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Omipalisib, also known as GSK2126458, is a small-molecule pyridylsulfonamide inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) with potential antineoplastic activity. Omipalisib (GSK2126458, GSK458) is a highly selective and potent inhibitor of p110α/β/δ/γ, mTORC1/2 with Ki of 0.019 nM/0.13 nM/0.024 nM/0.06 nM and 0.18 nM/0.3 nM in cell-free assays, respectively. It is also a low picomolar inhibitor of the common activating mutants of p110a (E542K, E545K, and H1047R) found in human cancer. Omipalisib (GSK2126458) binds to and inhibits PI3K in the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, which may trigger the translocation of cytosolic Bax to the mitochondrial outer membrane, increasing mitochondrial membrane permeability and inducing apoptotic cell death. Bax is a member of the proapoptotic Bcl2 family of proteins. PI3K, often overexpressed in cancer cells, plays a crucial role in tumor cell regulation and survival. GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing omipalisib, a phosphoinositide 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin (PI3K/mTOR) inhibitor as well as mTOR complex 1 and 2 inhibitor, for the potential oral treatment of cancer and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

AZD4017, a 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 inhibitor, has been developed by AstraZeneca for the treatment of obesity, raised intraocular pressure (IOP) and type 2 diabetes. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 is an attractive mechanism for the treatment of obesity and other elements of the metabolic syndrome. However, studies were discontinued due to safety and efficacy reasons. Besides, specific inhibition of 11β-HSD1 can decrease intracranial pressure and consequently treat patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), thus AZD4017 participated in phase II clinical trials to treat this disease. IIH, also known as benign intracranial hypertension or pseudotumor cerebri, is a condition of unknown etiology characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) and papilledema. In addition, AZD4017 in combination with prednisolone participated in phase II clinical trials for patients with Iatrogenic Cushing's Disease. It was postulated that the adverse metabolic effects of prednisolone could be reduced by co-administration of AZD4017.