Acyclovir is a synthetic antiviral nucleoside analogue. A screening program for antiviral drugs begun at Burroughs Wellcome in the 1960s resulted in the discovery of acyclovir in 1974. Preclinical investigation brought the drug to clinical trials in 1977 and the first form of the drug (topical) was available to physicians in 1982. Activity of acyclovir is greatest against herpes 1 and herpes 2, less against varicella zoster, still less against Epstein-Barr, and very little against cytomegalovirus. Acyclovir is an antiviral agent only after it is phosphorylated in infected cells by a viral-induced thymidine kinase. Acyclovir monophosphate is phosphorylated to diphosphate and triphosphate forms by cellular enzymes in the infected host cell where the drug is concentrated. Acyclovir triphosphate inactivates viral deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a clear odorless liquid, inexpensively produced as a by-product of the paper industry. It is widely available in the USA as a solvent but its medical use is currently restricted by the FDA to the palliative treatment of interstitial cystitis and to certain experimental applications. In medicine, DMSO is also used as a topical analgesic, a vehicle for topical application of pharmaceuticals, as an anti-inflammatory, and an antioxidant.

Corifungin refers to the sodium salt of amphotericin B. Although amphotericin B has become the primary drug of choice for treating primary amoebic meningoencephalitis, its use is associated with multiple side effects, including use-limiting renal toxicity. Initial reports for the in vivo efficacy of corifungin in a mouse model of primary amoebic meningoencephalitis showed activity superior to that of amphotericin B at equivalent dosing. Chemically, corifungin is the sodium salt of amphotericin B with excellent aqueous solubility. The increased solubility of corifungin is likely to account for the described increase in activity. Acea Biotech is developing corifungin for the treatment of fungal infections and amebic diseases. Acea has completed of host of animal studies on corifungin setting the stage to take the drug into the clinic. U.S. FDA has approved orphan drug status for corifungin for the treatment of primary amebic meningoencephalitis.

Dimethyl maleate is an organic compound, the (Z)-isomer of the dimethyl ester of fumaric acid. Dimethyl maleate can be synthesized from maleic anhydride and methanol, with sulfuric acid acting as acid catalyst, via a nucleophilic acyl substitution for the monomethyl ester, followed by a Fischer esterification reaction for the dimethyl ester. Dimethyl maleate is used in many organic syntheses as a dienophile for diene synthesis. It is used as an additive and intermediate for plastics, pigments, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products. It is also an intermediate for the production of paints, adhesives, and copolymers.

F-901318 (Olorofim) is an orotomide antifungal drug. An investigation into the mechanism of action of F-901318 found that it acts via inhibition of the pyrimidine biosynthesis enzyme dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) in a fungal-specific manner. Olorofim is being developed by F2G for the treatment of mycoses.

Fluocinolone participated in clinical trials for the treatment of Oral Lichen Planus and Candida Infection.