Licostinel (ACEA 1021) is a potent competitive antagonist at the glycine site on the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. The robust efficacy of glycine/NMDA antagonists, such as ACEA 1021, in animal model of brain ischemia, together with good safety profile in animal models and in clinical trials, suggested that this class of NMDA antagonists should have good chance of success in the clinic as neuroprotectants. The clinical trial of ACEA 1021 for stroke was discontinued, mainly due to low solubility and lack of metabolism of the drug that led to the observation of crystals in the urine of some of the patients. In vivo ACEA 1021 reduced the rate of propagation of cortical spreading depression, an effect consistent with blockade of NMDA receptors. ACEA 1021 also decreased audiogenic myoclonus in resuscitated rats following cardiac arrest, and the minimum alveolar concentration for halothane, effects which suggest a reduction of excitatory amino acid neurotransmission. ACEA 1021 crosses the blood-brain barrier and blocks the pathophysiologic consequences of NMDA receptor overstimulation. It was neuroprotective with a favorable therapeutic window in models of transient and permanent cerebral ischemia, epilepsy and pain.

Rebeccamycin analog (RA, Becatecarin/ BMS 181176, rebeccamycin derivative, NSC 655649) is an antitumor antibiotic with inhibitory activity against both topoisomerase I and II, and DNA-intercalating properties. The mechanism of action of becatecarin is not exactly known, but it is thought that by inhibiting (blocking) the function of topoisomerase enzymes, it will destroy cancer cells and slow down the growth of the tumour. On 25 July 2006, orphan designation (EU/3/06/388) was granted by the European Commission to Helsinn Birex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Ireland, for becatecarin for the treatment of cancers of the biliary tree.

Dotarizine was developed as antimigraineur. Dotarizine inhibited the 5-HT2A response in a concentration-dependent manner. The mechanism of blockade by dotarizine of cerebral vessels contractility has three components: (i) presynaptic inhibition of noradrenaline release; (ii) blockade of postsynaptic vascular 5-HT receptors; (iii) blockade of Ca(2+)entry into the vascular smooth muscle cell cytosol. The compound does not affect the vascular receptors for noradrenaline, angiotensin II or prostaglandin F(2alpha). Dotarizine had a pronounced protective effect against electric seizures.

Carboxyamidotriazole (L651582) is a carboxyamide-amino-imidazole compound originally developed as a coccidiostat, an antiprotozoal agent that acts upon Coccidia parasites. Carboxyamidotriazole (L651582) is an orally-active agent with potential antineoplastic activity. Carboxyamidotriazole binds to and inhibits non-voltage-operated Ca2 channels, blocking both Ca2 influx into cells and Ca2 release from intracellular stores and resulting in the disruption of calcium channel-mediated signal transduction and inhibition of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling, endothelial proliferation, and angiogenesis. This agent may also inhibit tumor cell growth, invasion, and metastasis.

Metocinium iodide, a spasmolytic agent, is an antagonist of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. The drug is used in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.

Iododoxorubicin is an anthracycline derivative patented by Farmitalia Carlo Erba S.p.A. for cancer treatment. In preclinical studies, Iododoxorubicin has demonstrated significantly reduced levels of cardiotoxicity compared to anthracyclines. Unfortunately, during phase II clinical trials Iododoxorubicin failed to demonstrate efficacy in an advanced breast cancer patient