Setmelanotide (RM-493), is an investigational, first-in-class melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) agonist in development for the treatment of rare genetic disorders of obesity. Setmelanotide is thought to activate the MC4R, part of a key biological pathway in humans that regulates weight by increasing energy expenditure and reducing appetite. Variants in genes within the MC4 pathway are associated with unrelenting hunger, known as hyperphagia, and severe, early-onset obesity. Setmelanotide is a potential replacement therapy that may restore lost activity in the MC4 pathway, reestablishing weight and appetite control in patients with these rare genetic disorders.

Losartan is a selective, competitive angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT1) antagonist. Losartant is recommended as one of several preferred agents for the initial management of hypertension. Administration of losartan reduces the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. Losartan is indicated for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy with an elevated serum creatinine and proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of hypertension.

Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist (calcium ion antagonist or slow-channel blocker) that inhibits the transmembrane influx of calcium ions into vascular smooth muscle and cardiac muscle. Experimental data suggest that amlodipine binds to both dihydropyridine and nondihydropyridine binding sites. The contractile processes of cardiac muscle and vascular smooth muscle are dependent upon the movement of extracellular calcium ions into these cells through specific ion channels. Amlodipine inhibits calcium ion influx across cell membranes selectively, with a greater effect on vascular mooth muscle cells than on cardiac muscle cells. Amlodipine is indicated for the treatment of hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Sodium lactate is primarily indicated as a source of bicarbonate for prevention or control of mild to moderate metabolic acidosis in patients with restricted oral intake whose oxidative processes are not seriously impaired. Sodium Lactate is most commonly associated with an E number of “E325” Sodium Lactate blends are commonly used in meat and poultry products to extend shelf life and increase food safety. They have a broad antimicrobial action and are effective at inhibiting most spoilage and pathogenic bacteria. In addition sodium lactate is used in cosmetics as a humectant, providing moisture.

Alcohols exhibit rapid broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against vegetative bacteria (including mycobacteria), viruses, and fungi but are not sporicidal. They are, however, known to inhibit sporulation and spore germination, but this effect is reversible. Because of the lack of sporicidal activity, alcohols are not recommended for sterilization but are widely used for both hard-surface disinfection and skin antisepsis. Lower concentrations may also be used as preservatives and to potentiate the activity of other biocides. Many alcohol products include low levels of other biocides (in particular chlorhexidine), which remain on the skin following evaporation of the alcohol, or excipients (including emollients), which decrease the evaporation time of the alcohol and can significantly increase product efficacy. Ethanol in combination with: chlorhexidine gluconate 1% was approved to use in surgical hand antiseptic. It significantly reduces the number of microorganisms on the hands and forearms prior to surgery or patient care. Ethanol is also used as a co-solvent to dissolve many insoluble drugs and to serve as a mild sedative in some medicinal formulations. Ethanol is metabolized by the hepatic enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Ethanol affects the brain’s neurons in several ways. It alters their membranes as well as their ion channels, enzymes, and receptors. Alcohol also binds directly to the receptors for acetylcholine, serotonin, GABA, and the NMDA receptors for glutamate. The sedative effects of ethanol are mediated through binding to GABA receptors and glycine receptors (alpha 1 and alpha 2 subunits). It also inhibits NMDA receptor functioning. In its role as an anti-infective, ethanol acts as an osmolyte or dehydrating agent that disrupts the osmotic balance across cell membranes.

CG-200745 is a novel inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), initially developed by CrystalGenomics, Inc for treatment of various hematological and solid cancers. Combinations of CG-200745 with SN38 (the active form of irinotecan), or oxaliplatin were more effective than the agents alone when used to inhibit the growth of HCT116 cells. The protein expressions of acetyl-H3, p21, caspase-3, -8, and -9, PARP, and XIAP were affected in a time- and dose-dependent manner in HCT116 cells treated with the CG-200745 alone or combined CG-200745 and SN-38. In HCT116 xenografts, the HDACI CG-200745 in combination with irinotecan dramatically inhibited tumor growth without showing additive toxicity.

PTX-008 (OTX008) is a calixarene-based compound and galectin-1 (Gal-1) inhibitor with potential anti-angiogenic and antineoplastic activities. Upon subcutaneous administration, galectin-1 inhibitor OTX008 binds Gal-1 which leads to Gal-1 oxidation and proteosomal degradation through a not yet fully elucidated mechanism, and eventually downregulates Gal-1. This decreases tumor cell growth and inhibits angiogenesis. Gal-1, a multifunctional carbohydrate-binding protein, is often overexpressed on tumor cells and plays a key role in cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis, tumor angiogenesis and evasion of immune responses. PTX-008 had been in phase I clinical trials for the treatment of solid tumours. This compound was originally discovered by University of Minnesota and PepTx, then licensed to OncoEthix (acquired by Merck Sharp & Dohme in 2014). However, no recent developments has been reported.