Momelotinib (CYT387) is an ATP-competitive small molecule that potently inhibits JAK1/JAK2 kinases. Momelotinib is developing by Gilead Sciences for the oral treatment of pancreatic and non-small cell lung cancers, and myeloproliferative disorders (including myelofibrosis, essential thrombocythaemia and polycythaemia vera).

Selpercatinib (LOXO-292, ARRY-192) is a potent and specific RET (c-RET) inhibitor that was granted accelerated FDA approval on May 8, 2020, for specific RET-driven cancer indications. It is currently marketed under the brand name RETEVMO™ by Loxo Oncology Inc.

Tazemetostat (EPZ-6438) is a selective inhibitor of histone-lysine N-methyltransferase EZH2. The drug is under clinical development (phase II) for the treatment of Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma, Malignant Mesothelioma and Synovial Sarcoma.

Upadacitinib (ABT-494) is a Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) inhibitor currently being developed by AbbVie for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, atopic dermatitis, and psoriatic arthritis. It is also being investigated as a potential treatment for people with active ankylosing spondylitis (AS). Currently, upadacitinib is being evaluatedin six global phase III studies in RA and twophase III studies in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), inaddition to phase II studies in Crohn’s disease and atopicdermatitis and a combined phase II/III study inulcerative colitis. Upadacitinib is a potent and selective Janus kinase (JAK) 1 inhibitor with an IC50 of 43 nM.

Lorlatinib is an investigational medicine that inhibits the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) and ROS1 proto-oncogene. Lorlatinib was specifically designed to inhibit tumor mutations that drive resistance to other ALK inhibitors. Lorlatinib has in vitro activity against ALK and number of other tyrosine kinase receptor related targets including ROS1, TYK1, FER, FPS, TRKA, TRKB, TRKC, FAK, FAK2, and ACK. Lorlatinib demonstrated in vitro activity against multiple mutant forms of the ALK enzyme, including some mutations detected in tumors at the time of disease progression on crizotinib and other ALK inhibitors. Moreover, lorlatinib possesses the capability to cross the blood-brain barrier, allowing it to reach and treat progressive or worsening brain metastases as well. Lorlatinib is a third-generation anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) indicated for the treatment of patients with ALK-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) whose disease has progressed on a) the prior use of crizotinib and at least one other ALK inhibitor for metastatic disease, or b) the prior use of alectinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease, or c) the prior use of certinib as the first ALK inhibitor therapy for metastatic disease.

Larotrectinib (previously known as ARRY-470 and LOXO-101) is a potent, oral and selective investigational new drug in clinical development for the treatment of patients with cancers that harbor abnormalities involving the tropomyosin receptor kinases (TRKs). Larotrectinib is in phase II clinical trials for the treatment patients with solid tumors, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and for the pediatric patients with advanced solid or primary CNS tumors.

Velpatasvir (VEL; GS-5816) is an inhibitor of HCV NS5A protein, it demonstrated favourable in vitro and in vivo properties, including potent antiviral activity against hepatitis C virus genotypes 1 to 6 replicon, good metabolic stability, low systemic clearance, and adequate bioavailability and physicochemical properties to warrant clinical evaluation. Velpatasvir is used together with sofosbuvir in the treatment of hepatitis C infection of all six major genotypes. A once-daily, single-tablet, pangenotypic regimen comprising the HCV NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir and the HCV NS5A inhibitor velpatasvir (sofosbuvir/ velpatasvir; Epclusa) has recently been approved for the treatment of adults with chronic HCV genotype 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 infection in the USA, EU and Canada.

Osimertinib is an oral, third-generation epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drug developed by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals. Its use is indicated for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) in cases where tumour EGFR expression is positive for the T790M mutation as detected by FDA-approved testing and which has progressed following therapy with a first-generation EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Approximately 10% of patients with NSCLC have a rapid and clinically effective response to EGFR-TKIs due to the presence of specific activating EGFR mutations within the tumour cells. More specifically, deletions around the LREA motif in exon 19 and exon 21 L858R point mutations are correlated with response to therapy. Osimertinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that binds to certain mutant forms of EGFR (T790M, L858R, and exon 19 deletion) that predominate in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours following treatment with first-line EGFR-TKIs. As a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, osimertinib is specific for the gate-keeper T790M mutation which increases ATP binding activity to EGFR and results in poor prognosis for late-stage disease. Furthermore, osimertinib has been shown to spare wild-type EGFR during therapy, thereby reducing non-specific binding and limiting toxicity. Osimertinib is marketed under the brand name Tagrisso.

Fosnetupitant is a prodrug form of netupitant. Netupitant is a selective antagonist of human substance P/neurokinin 1 (NK-1) receptors. Upon intravenous administration, fosnetupitant is converted by phosphatases to its active form. It competitively binds to and blocks the activity of NK-1 receptors in the central nervous system, by inhibiting binding of substance P (SP) to NK-1 receptors. This prevents delayed emesis, which is associated with SP secretion. AKYNZEO® is a combination of palonosetron, a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist, and netupitant (capsules for oral use) or fosnetupitant (injections for intravenous use). AKYNZEO® for injection is indicated in combination with dexamethasone in adults for the prevention of acute and delayed nausea and vomiting associated with initial and repeat courses of highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy.

Ramelteon was approved by the United States (U.S.) in July 2005, and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in April 2010. It is currently available in the USA and Japan as ROZEREM and is indicated for the treatment of insomnia characterized by difficulty with sleep onset. In October 7, 2011, Takeda has decided to discontinue the development of ramelteon in Europe for the treatment of insomnia in order to best optimize Takeda’s resources for its research and development activities. Ramelteon is a melatonin receptor agonist with both high affinity for melatonin MT1 and MT2 receptors and selectivity over the MT3 receptor. Ramelteon demonstrates full agonist activity in vitro in cells expressing human MT1 or MT2 receptors, and high selectivity for human MT1 and MT2 receptors compared to the MT3 receptor. The activity of ramelteon at the MT1 and MT2 receptors is believed to contribute to its sleep-promoting properties since these receptors are acted upon by endogenous melatonin and are thought to be involved in the maintenance of the circadian rhythm underlying normal sleep-wake cycles. Ramelteon has no appreciable affinity for the GABA receptor complex or for receptors that bind neuropeptides, cytokines, serotonin, dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine, and opiates.