Nebracetam (WEB1881FU) is a pyrrolidinone nootropic. Like other racetams, it is an aminomethyl pyrrolidinone derivative of piracetam. It was first synthesized in Germany in the late 1980s, where it was manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim. Nebracetam is a M1-muscarinic agonist. In Jurkat cells Nebracetam induced a rise of [Ca2+]i in the medium with 1 mM Ca2+ and without Ca2+ (plus 1 mM EGTA). The nebracetam-induced [Ca2+]i rise was blocked by atropine greater than pirenzepine greater than AF-DX 116. Nebracetam facilitates the ganglionic muscarinic transmission through acting on presynaptic sites. Nebracetam has been investigated as a cognition-enhancing drug, but most of the studies have taken place in animal models. It has been shown to protect neurons in animals exposed to low levels of oxygen and low blood sugar. Nebracetam is also protective against glutamate toxicity, presumably via its modulation of calcium entry. In animal models of Alzheimer’s disease, nebracetam improved memory in a dose-dependent manner. It also protected against ischemia- (lack of oxygen) induced neuronal death in a rat model of stroke. The compound has also been tested as a possible antidepressant, presumably because its mechanism of action (reducing dopaminergic and serotonergic uptake) is similar to other commonly used antidepressants. Some studies have taken place in humans. A single dose was shown to alter brain waves in healthy volunteers, who showed increased alpha activity and an associated decrease of slow activity and of fast activity in the frontal cortex. These results imply that nebracetam might improve linguistic learning and memory processing. A trial in dementia patients reported that significant clinical improvement occurred after 8 weeks. However, other studies did not replicate this finding.

Toreforant (JNJ-38518168) is an orally active, selective histamine H4 receptor antagonist. Toreforant was investigated as an agent for the treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis. While some improvement in rheumatoid arthritis signs/symptoms through week 12 was observed in the phase IIa study, no efficacy was observed with toreforant at lower doses in a subsequent phase IIb study. Toreforant has been tested in clinical studies in patients with asthma and psoriasis. Toreforant failed to provide therapeutic benefit in population of patients with uncontrolled, eosinophilic, persistent asthma. Toreforant efficacy at 30 and 60 mg was greater than placebo but did not meet predefined success criterion in patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis.

Palonidipine (also known as TC 81) a calcium antagonist that was developed by Teijin for the treatment of hypertension and angina pectoris. Palonidipine was involved in phase II clinical trials in Japan. However, these studies were discontinued.

Betaprodine is an opioid analgesic under international control according to the UN Single Convention 1961. It has been used in obstetrics, as pre-operative medication, for minor surgical procedures.

Ganstigmine is an orally active, carbamate-based acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor developed for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. It is a newer generation AChE than BChE inhibitor, derived from genserine, and has a long duration of action in vivo. Studies have shown it significantly prevented the progressive neuronal cell death due to growth factor deprivation and decreased neurodegeneration. Ganstigmine may be a suitable candidate for the treatment of cholinergic deficit in Alzheimer's disease because it was found to significantly increase basal extracellular concentrations of acetylcholine in rat prefrontal cortex, and does not affect the concentrations of serotonin, noradrenaline and levels of dopamine and metabolites. It is safe and well tolerated at 5–10 mg doses as the study conducted in Phase I randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. It was dropped from phase II trials because of its adverse effects reported in some patients.