PNU-282987 is a potent and selective a7 nAChR agonist. This compound showed high affinity for the rat a7 nAChR (Ki = 26 nM) and activity at the a7–5-HT3 chimera (EC50 = 128 nM). In addition, PNU-282987 was found to be inactive at all tested monoamine, muscarine, glutamate, and GABA receptors at 1 uM concentration, except 5-HT3 receptors (Ki = 930 nM). The highly selective and potent a7 nAChR agonist PNU-282987 enhances GABAergic synaptic activity in the hippocampus in vitro, and reverses amphetamine induced auditory gating deficit in anesthetized rats. In addition, PNU-282987 improves the inherent gating deficit observed in a subset of rats and enhances amphetamine induced hippocampal activity. These results support the concept that a7 nAChR agonists represent a novel, potential pharmacotherapy in treatment of schizophrenia. It also has being shown that acute lung injury is reduced by PNU-282987 through changes in the macrophage profile.

A-582941 was found to exhibit high-affinity binding and agonism at alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7-nAChR), with acceptable pharmacokinetic properties and excellent distribution to the central nervous system. In vitro and in vivo studies indicated that A-582941 activates signaling pathways known to be involved in cognitive function such as ERK1/2 and CREB phosphorylation. A-582941 enhanced cognitive performance in behavioral assays including the monkey delayed matching-to-sample, rat social recognition, and mouse inhibitory avoidance models that capture domains of working memory, short-term recognition memory, and long-term memory consolidation, respectively. AbbVie is developing α7-nAChR agonists including A-582941 as neuroprotective agents for the treatment of cognitive disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia. Development is at the preclinical stage.

Nomegestrol acetate (NOMAC) is a 19-norprogesterone derivative with high biological activity at the progesterone receptor, a weak anti-androgenic effect, but with no binding to estrogen, glucocorticoid or mineralocorticoid receptors. Nomegestrol has been developed by the Monaco-based company Théramex SAM (a Teva subsidiary). Nomegestrol acetate has been used successfully for the treatment of some gynaecological disorders (menstrual disturbances, dysmenorrhoea, premenstrual syndrome) and as a component of hormone replacement therapy in combination with estradiol for the relief of menopausal symptoms; it has been approved in Europe as monotherapy for the treatment of the menopausal syndrome, uterine diseases and menorrhagia, and in combination with an estrogen for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. Nomegestrol acetate in combination with estradiol is used as an oral contraceptive.