Idasanutlin (RG-7388) is a second-generation, orally bioavailable, selective p53-MDM2 antagonist. MDM2 is an important negative regulator of the p 53 tumor suppressor and is expressed at high levels in a large proportion of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Blocking the MDM2-p53 interaction stabilizes p53 and activates p-53 mediated cell death and inhibition cell growth. Idasanutlin is under clinical trial in phase III for treatment AML and in combinations with others drugs in phase I/II for treatment of multiple myeloma.

GSK2879552 – is an orally available, irreversible, inhibitor of lysine specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), with potential antineoplastic activity. Upon administration, GSK2879552 binds to and inhibits LSD1, a demethylase that suppresses the expression of target genes by converting the dimethylated form of lysine at position 4 of histone H3 (H3K4) to mono- and unmethylated H3K4. LSD1 inhibition enhances H3K4 methylation and increases the expression of tumor-suppressor genes. This may lead to an inhibition of cell growth in LSD1-overexpressing tumor cells. LSD1, overexpressed in certain tumor cells, plays a key role in tumor cell growth and survival. On October 2016 GlaxoSmithKline plans a phase I/II trial for Myelodysplastic syndromes (Monotherapy, Combination therapy, Second-line therapy or greater) in USA, Canada and Europe (PO) (NCT02929498).

Orilotimod (previously known as Apo 805K1), an antipsoriatic agent that was studied for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. This drug successfully completed phase II clinical trial in the USA. However, information about the further development of this drug is not available.

ATB-346, being developed by Antibe Therapeutics, a Toronto-based pharmaceutical company, is a hydrogen sulfide-releasing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that inhibits COX and suppresses prostaglandin production. ATB-346 exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antinociceptive, immunomodulatory, and neuroprotective activities. In vivo, this compound attenuates zymosan-induced inflammation, nociception, and immune signaling. ATB-346 also prevents ligature-induced periodontal bone loss and pathologies, potentially by suppressing increases in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Additionally, ATB-346 decreases edema and improves neurological function in animal models of traumatic brain injury (TBI). ATB-346 completed Phase 1 clinical studies in Q1 2015. To better understand the metabolism of ATB-346, Antibe conducted a radiolabeled study in rats at Covance Laboratories that was completed in Q4 2015. Antibe received approval from Health Canada in March 2016 to conduct a Phase 2 trial of ATB-346 in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Preclinical studies of ATB-346 for the treatment intestinal cancer; malignant melanoma; periodontal disorders are in progress.

Ralinepag is a cyclohexyl amide derivative patented by Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. as agonists of the human prostacyclin (PGI2) receptor useful for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension. Ralinepag shows selectivity in both binding and functional assays with respect to most members of the prostanoid receptor family and a more modest 30-50-fold selectivity over the EP3 receptor. Ralinepag had an excellent PK profile across species. Enterohepatic recirculation most probably contributes to a concentration-time profile after oral administration in the cynomolgus monkey that showed a very low peak-to-trough ratio. Phase III clinical trial is currently ongoing.

N-Methyl-D-aspartic acid is an amino acid derivative acting as a specific agonist at the NMDA receptor, and therefore mimics the action of the neurotransmitter glutamate on that receptor. Unlike glutamate, NMDA only binds to and regulates the NMDA receptor and has no effect on other glutamate receptors (such as those for AMPA and kainate). NMDA receptors are particularly important when they become overactive during withdrawal from alcohol as this causes symptoms such as agitation and, sometimes, epileptiform seizures. NMDA is a water-soluble synthetic substance that is not normally found in biological tissue.

COTI-2 is an orally available small molecule targeting p53, a tumor suppressor gene that is mutated in over 50% of all cancers. The drug was developed by Clinical Outcome Technologies Inc (now Cotinga Pharmaceuticals) and is believed to act by reactivating mutant p53 and inhibiting the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt. The drug is being evaluated in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of gynecologic cancers and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

DL-Kynurenine is a racemic mixture of D-kynurenine and L-kynurenine. Kynurenine is the precursor of kynurenic acid, an endogenous antagonist of the glycine site of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor. Kynurenine has been identified as an endogenous ligand of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), a receptor known to be activated by various environmental toxicants, such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD).