VILANTEROL α-PHENYL CINNAMATE (GW642444H), originally developed by GlaxoSmithKline, is a long-acting β2 adrenoceptor agonist for once daily treatment of COPD and asthma. Phase III clinical trials are ongoing. GW642444H is Vilanterol a-phenylcinnimate salt. In clinical studies the study drug may been given as a dry powder in the form of either the ‘H’ salt (with the excipient lactose), or in the form of the ‘M’ salt (with the excipients lactose and cellobiose octaacetate). Its pharmacological effect is attributable to stimulation of intracellular adenylyl cyclase which catalyzes the conversion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to cyclic-3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Increases in cyclic AMP are associated with relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and inhibition of release of hypersensitivity mediators from mast cells in the lungs.

PF-04457845 is a fatty acid amide hydrolase 1 inhibitor developed by Pfizer for the treatment of inflammatory and noninflammatory pain disorders. The drug was tested in phase II in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, but found to have the same effect as placebo. It was also assessed in phase II clinical trial for its effect on marijuana withdrawal and Tourette syndrome.

Nolpitantium (SR-140333) is a highly selective nonpeptide antagonist of neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor. Nolpitantium potently, selectively and competitively inhibited substance P binding to NK1 receptors from various animal species, including humans. In vitro, it was a potent antagonist in functional assays for NK1 receptors such as [Sar9, Met(O2)11]substance P-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation of rabbit pulmonary artery and contraction of guinea-pig ileum. Up to 1 mkM, Nolpitantium had no effect in bioassays for NK2 and NK3 receptors. The antagonism exerted by Nolpitantium toward NK1 receptors was apparently non-competitive, with pD2' values between 9.65 and 10.16 in the different assays. Nolpitantium also blocked in vitro [Sar9, Met(O2)11]substance P-induced release of acetylcholine from rat striatum. In vivo, Nolpitantium exerted highly potent antagonism toward [Sar9, Met(O2)11]substance P-induced hypotension in dogs, bronchoconstriction in guinea-pig) and plasma extravasation in rats. Nolpitantium was found to be effective in the modulation of the inflammatory response and airway remodeling in mice. Nolpitantium is reported to cause antagonism of the SP-induced relaxations of human isolated intralobar pulmonary arterial rings. Nolpitantium also blocked the activation of rat thalamic neurons after nociceptive stimulation. Nolpitantium has been shown to reduce the severity of inflammation in trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid-induced colitis in the rat colon. Nolpitantium inhibited mustard oil-induced plasma protein extravasations in the dorsal skin of the rat hind paw. Nolpitantium had been in some phase II clinical trials but further studies were discontinued.

Motolimod (VTX-2337) is a small molecule, selective Toll-like receptor (TLR) 8 agonist has been used in trials studying phase II for the treatment of peritoneal carcinoma, Ovarian Cancer, Fallopian Tube Cancer, B-cell lymphoma, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck among others. Motolimod is designed to mobilize a patient's immune system by directly activating myeloid dendritic cells, monocytes, and natural killer cells. This activation results in the production of a high level of mediators known to orchestrate the integration of both the innate and adaptive anti-tumor responses to a number of cancers.

GSK-1004723 is a dual histamine H(1) and H(3) receptor antagonist with a long duration of action that has been investigated for the treatment of allergic rhinitis. GSK-1004723 was designed for intranasal administration as a suspension or solution. Clinical trials (phase 1 and 2) showed that GSK-1004723 is well tolerated and demonstrates clinically significant attenuation of symptoms (tested in an environmental allergen challenge chamber). However, attenuation of symptoms was less than seen for treatment with cetirizine (a commonly used over-the-counter antihistamine).

NM-404 I-124 ([124I]CLR-1404, LIGHT ) is a phospholipid ether analog labeled with iodine I 124, with a potential imaging property upon positron emission tomography (PET). Upon administration, NM-404 I-124 selectively accumulates in and is retained within tumor cells for a prolonged period of time due to the decreased activity of a phospholipase D (PLD), most likely isoform 1 of PLD, in tumor cells compared to normal cells. As tumor cells are unable to metabolize and eliminate MN404, tumor cells can be visualized upon PET imaging. In addition, NM-404 I-124 may provide a more accurate image of the tumor than imaging with the current standard. PLD is an enzyme found in the cell membrane of normal cells that degrades phospholipids. NM-404 I-124 enters cells predominately via lipid rafts, specialized microdomains of plasma membranes enriched in cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, which are found to be overexpressed 6-10 fold in malignant cells compared to normal cells. Although blood pool uptake in major vascular structures demonstrates high uptake initially, there is no significant CLR1404 uptake in normal brain tissue. Therefore, avid brain tumor uptake results in high tumor to back-ground signal and thus clear identification of viable tumor cells on PET scans. NM-404 I-124 selectively illuminated malignant tumors in 52 of 54 animal models of cancer, demonstrating evidence of broad-spectrum, cancer-selective uptake and retention. FDA granted orphan drug designation in the United States for NM-404 I-124 as a diagnostic for the management of glioma.

Artefenomel, a novel trioxolane, is a lead candidate for inclusion in a new antimalarial combination, specifically formulated for children. Artefenomel has been demonstrated curative in as little as one dose.

Vesatolimod, also known as GS-9620, is being developed in clinical studies for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection, with the goal of inducing a liver-targeted antiviral effect without inducing the adverse effects associated with current systemic interferon-α (IFN-α) therapies. It is demonstrate interferon-stimulated gene induction without detectable serum interferon at low oral doses. GS-9620 is a potent and oral agonist of Toll-like receptor-7, a pattern-recognition receptor whose activation results in innate and adaptive immune stimulation

PKI-179 is an orally efficacious dual PI3K/mTOR inhibitor, possessing antineoplastic activity. The key residues involved in binding of PKI-179 were Ala-805 in PI3Kγ and Ile-2163 in mTOR as they have lost maximum accessible surface area due to binding. By inhibiting the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, this agent may inhibit tumor cell proliferation and survival. Evaluation of in vivo efficacy in the nude mouse model bearing MDA-361 human breast cancer tumors showed pronounced tumor growth arrest when dosed above 10 mg/Kg.