MBX-2982 is a potential first-in-class treatment for type 2 diabetes that targets G protein-coupled receptor 119 (GPR119), a receptor that interacts with bioactive lipids known to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin secretion. Preclinical data indicate that MBX-2982 is a potent selective orally-active GPR119 agonist that functions through a unique dual mechanism of action. First, it acts directly on the beta cell to increase insulin secretion. In addition, MBX-2982 stimulates release of the incretin GLP-1 from the gut. This dual action is unique and may offer improved glucose homeostasis over existing diabetes therapies, with potential for weight loss and improved islet health. MBX-2982 has completed four Phase 1 studies and one Phase 2 study. In the 4-week Phase 2 study in diabetics, MBX-2982 lowered mean weighted glucose and postprandial glucose during an extended mixed-meal tolerance test (MMTT). Treatment with MBX-2982 increased insulin, active GLP-1, and total GLP-1 during an extended MMTT. Treatment with MBX-2982 also tended to increase fasting insulin and c-peptide, and decrease fasting triglycerides. In all studies to date, MBX-2982 demonstrated dose-dependent increases in drug exposure with a profile supporting once daily oral dosing that was safe and well tolerated with no serious adverse events, adverse event trends or dose-limiting toxicities. These results provide clinical validation for the potential therapeutic benefits of MBX-2982 as a type 2 diabetes treatment.

Presatovir is a novel inhibitor of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) fusion F protein patented by Gilead Sciences, Inc. as an antiviral agent. Upon oral administration of GS-5806, this agent specifically binds to F protein on the viral surface, which inhibits RSV F protein-mediated fusion with the host cell membrane and prevents viral entry. This blocks RSV replication, reduces viral load, and decreases the severity of the disease. Presatovir exhibited potent antiviral activity against 75 RSV clinical isolates from both A and B subgroups in vitro. In vivo, presatovir demonstrated efficient penetration into the lung and epithelial lining fluid in Sprague‐Dawley rats and in dogs and cattle. Presatovir demonstrated dose‐dependent antiviral activity in both the upper respiratory tract and the lungs in a nonclinical study of RSV‐infected cotton rats as well as in a clinical study of healthy adults experimentally infected with RSV.

Licochalcone A (LicA) is a flavonoid isolated from the famous Chinese medicinal herb Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch and has a wide spectrum of pharmacological activities such as anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-cancer. However, its pharmacological mechanism is not well defined. The anti-Inflammatory effects of LicA on IL-1β-Stimulated human osteoarthritis chondrocytes was reached by activating Nrf2 signaling pathway. LicA showed anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects in breast cancer cells through regulating Sp1 and apoptosis-related proteins in a dose- and a time-dependent manner. In addition, the chemotherapeutic potential of LicA for treatment of human cervical cancer was achieved by inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling.

Pefcalcitol (previously known as M518101), an analog of vitamin D3 (VD3), is an antipsoriatic drug candidate that is designed to achieve much higher pharmacological effects, such as keratinocyte differentiation. This drug is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and is being developed as a topical ointment formulation. Pefcalcitol was involved in phase III clinical trials in the USA and in Japan in subjects with plaque psoriasis and with palmoplantar keratoderma. In addition, it participated in phase II clinical trial for the warts treatment.

Foxy-5, a wingless-type mammary tumor virus integration site 5A (WNT5A)-mimicking peptide, was studied for the treatment of cancer. Foxy-5 is participating in phase II clinical trial as neo-adjuvant therapy for the treatment of patients with wnt-5a low colon cancer. Besides, Foxy-5 was used in phase I clinical trial, for the treatment of prostate cancer patients with tumors exhibiting absent or low WNT5A expression.

MK-0812 is a potent and selective CCR2 antagonist, which was developed by Merck. This drug has entered clinical trials for both rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, the rheumatoid arthritis trial was terminated because of lack of favorable outcomes when MK-0812 failed to show any early clinical improvement. The outcome of the multiple sclerosis trial of MK-0812 also had negative outcomes.

GSK-1521498 is being tested for treatment of over-eating behaviors and other control-related eating problems. This compound inhibits the effects of opioids, which are known to be involved in controlling how much we eat and the pleasure associated with eating. GSK-1521498 has also been evaluated for treatment of alcoholism, potentially promoting abstinence and preventing relapse in alcohol addiction.

Trabodenoson is a potent (Ki = 0.97 nM) and selective (>10,000- fold vs. adenosine 2 receptor) adenosine 1 receptor agonist. Ex vivo, trabodenoson (100 nM to 3 uM) progressively prolonged A-V-nodal conduction without reducing left ventricular function or coronary resistance. In vivo, trabodenoson up to a dose of 50 ug/kg did not reduce the carotid arterial blood pressure. Twice-daily ocular doses of trabodenoson, from 50 to 500 ug, were well tolerated and showed a dose-related decrease in intraocular pressure that was statistically significant and clinically relevant at 500 ug in patients with ocular hypertension or primary open-angle glaucoma. Trabodenoson had been in phase III clinical trial for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension. However, this development was discontinued.

Lucitanib (E-3810) is a novel multi-kinase inhibitor currently in clinical trials for its anti-angiogenic and anti-tumor activity. A Phase I/IIa clinical trial of lucitanib was initiated in 2010 and has demonstrated multiple objective responses in FGFR1 gene-amplified breast cancer patients, and objective responses were also observed in patients with tumors often sensitive to VEGFR inhibitors, such as renal cell and thyroid cancer. Lucitanib is an oral, potent inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase activity of fibroblast growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (FGFR1-3), vascular endothelial growth factor receptors 1 through 3 (VEGFR1-3) and platelet-derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFR alpha-beta). The most common adverse events were hypertension, asthenia, and proteinuria.