LFF-571 is a novel semisynthetic thiopeptide antibiotic with potent activity against a variety of Gram-positive pathogens, including Clostridium difficile. LFF-571 was generally safe and well tolerated in single and multiple oral doses in healthy subjects. There were no deaths, no serious adverse events, and no subject withdrawals due to an adverse event. The most common adverse event was diarrhea, gastrointestinal pain or distension was also noted. Similar to healthy volunteers, patients with C. difficile infections exhibited high fecal concentrations and low serum levels of LFF571. Novartis is developing oral LFF 571 for the treatment of Clostridium difficile infections. LFF 571 binds to bacterial elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) in domain 2. Phase-II development is ongoing in USA and Canada.

Isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) is a molecular biology reagent that induces β-galactosidase activity in many bacteria. This compound is a molecular mimic of allolactose, a lactose metabolite that triggers transcription of the lac operon, and it is therefore used to induce protein expression where the gene is under the control of the lac operator. Like allolactose, IPTG binds to the lac repressor and releases the tetrameric repressor from the lac operator in an allosteric manner, thereby allowing the transcription of genes in the lac operon, such as the gene coding for beta-galactosidase, a hydrolase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of β-galactosides into monosaccharides. But unlike allolactose, the sulfur atom creates a chemical bond which is non-hydrolyzable by the cell, preventing the cell from metabolizing or degrading the inducer.

Imazethapyr is an imidazole compound used as a selective herbicide. It is applied preplant incorporated, preemergence, at cracking, and postemergence. The compound controls weeds by reducing the levels of three branched-chain aliphatic amino acids, isoleucine, leucine and valine, through the inhibition of aceto-hydroxyacid synthase, an enzyme common to the biosynthetic pathway for these amino acids. This inhibition causes a disruption in protein synthesis which, in turn, leads to an interference in DNA synthesis and cell growth. The compound is used to control grasses and broadleaved weeds including barnyardgrass, crabgrass, cocklebur, panicums, pigweeds, nightshade, mustard, smartweed, velvetleaf, jimsonweed, foxtails, seedling johnsongrass, lambsquarters, morningglory and others. Tolerant crops include soybeans, peanuts, dry and edible beans, peas, alfalfa and imidazolinone resistant/tolerant corn. Additional research is being conducted on other leguminous crops. Acetolactate synthase inhibition is the primary mechanism of action of imazethapyr (IM).

Carnosol is an ortho-diphenolic diterpene with an abietane carbon skeleton with hydroxyl groups at positions C-11 and C-12 and a lactone moiety across the B ring. Carnosol is the product of oxidative degradation of carnosic acid. Carnosol is a naturally occurring phytopolyphenol found in rosemary that functions as an antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anticarcinogen. Carnosol has been shown to inhibit inductions of COX-2 by blocking PKC signaling. Carnosol is an inhibitor of AR and ER α. Several pre-clinical studies have suggested that carnosol selectively targets tumorigenic cell as opposed to non-tumorigenic cells and is safe and tolerable in animals. Carnosol has been shown to elicit chemopreventive effects by (1) blocking the bioactivation of carcinogens, (2) enhancing antioxidant and/or detoxification enzyme activities, (3) suppressing tumor-promoting inflammation, (4) inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis selectively in cancer cells, and (5) blocking tumor angiogenesis and invasion.

Senju Pharmaceutical is developing fonadelpar (also known as SJP-0035), a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor delta agonist as an ophthalmic solution. Fonadelpar was studied in phase III clinical trial in the USA for the treatment of patients with dry eye disease. This study was successfully completed. In addition, fonadelpar was involved in phase II clinical trial in the USA for the treatment of patients with moderate to severe corneal epithelial disorders. Besides, Senju Pharmaceutical also plans a phase II trial for corneal disorders in Japan.

Imazapic is a selective herbicide for both the pre- and post-emergent control of some annual and perennial grasses and some broadleaf weeds. Imazapic kills plants by inhibiting the production of branched chain amino acids, which are necessary for protein synthesis and cell growth. It has been useful for weed control in natural areas, particularly in conjunction with the establishment of native warm-season prairie grasses and certain legumes. Imazapic is relatively non-toxic to terrestrial and aquatic mammals, birds, and amphibians. It has a low level of toxicity to birds but is more toxic to aquatic life and honey bees. It has a high potential for bioaccumulation. Imazapic has an average half-life of 120 days in soil. It is may be persistent in soil systems but usually degrades quickly in aquatic systems via photolysis. It has a high aqueous solubility, is volatile and, based on its chemical properties, is moderately mobile and may leach to groundwater.

Mallinckrodt (previously Sucampo Pharmaceuticals) is developing nobiprostolan (RK 023), a topical therapy for male pattern baldness (androgenetic alopecia) and hypotrichosis. The drug is a physiologically active fatty acid derivative. Nobiprostolan is in Phase IIa clinical trials for the treatment of male pattern baldness.