Drug Pipeline

Deferiprone is an iron chelator that binds to ferric ions (iron III) and forms a 3:1 (deferiprone:iron) stable complex and is then eliminated in the urine. Deferiprone is more selective for iron in which other metals such as zinc, copper, and aluminum have a lower affinity for deferiprone.

Abatacept, a selective costimulation modulator, inhibits T-cell (T lymphocyte) activation by binding to CD80 and CD86, thereby blocking interaction with CD28. This interaction provides a costimulatory signal necessary for full activation of T lymphocytes. Activated T lymphocytes are implicated in the pathogenesis of RA, pJIA and PsA and are found in the synovium of patients with RA, pJIA and PsA. In vitro , abatacept decreases T-cell proliferation and inhibits the production of the cytokines TNF

According to its FDA labeling, acetaminophen's exact mechanism of action has not been fully established - despite this, it is often categorized alongside NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) due to its ability to inhibit the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) pathways. It is thought to exert central actions which ultimately lead to the alleviation of pain symptoms. One theory is that acetaminophen increases the pain threshold by inhibiting two isoforms of cyclo-oxygenase, COX-1 and COX-2, which ar

CAMPATH binds to CD52, an antigen present on the surface of B and T lymphocytes, a majority of monocytes, macrophages, NK cells, and a subpopulation of granulocytes. A proportion of bone marrow cells, including some CD34+ cells, express variable levels of CD52. The proposed mechanism of action is antibody-dependent cellular-mediated lysis following cell surface binding of CAMPATH to the leukemic cells.

Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor that inhibits T cell activation. Its binding to the receptor cyclophilin-1 inside cells produces a complex known as cyclosporine-cyclophilin. This complex subsequently inhibits calcineurin, which in turn stops the dephosphorylation as well as the activation of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NF-AT) that normally cause inflammatory reactions. NF-AT is a transcription factor that promotes the production of cytokines such as IL-2, IL-4, interferon-g

Diphenhydramine predominantly works via the antagonism of H1 (Histamine 1) receptors. Such H1 receptors are located on respiratory smooth muscles, vascular endothelial cells, the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), cardiac tissue, immune cells, the uterus, and the central nervous system (CNS) neurons. When the H1 receptor is stimulated in these tissues it produces a variety of actions including increased vascular permeability, promotion of vasodilation causing flushing, decreased atrioventricular (AV)

Fludarabine phosphate is rapidly dephosphorylated to 2-fluoro-ara-A and then phosphorylated intracellularly by deoxycytidine kinase to the active triphosphate, 2-fluoro-ara-ATP. This metabolite appears to act by inhibiting DNA polymerase alpha, ribonucleotide reductase and DNA primase, thus inhibiting DNA synthesis. The mechanism of action of this antimetabolite is not completely characterized and may be multi-faceted.

The precise mechanism by which hydroxyurea produces its antineoplastic effects cannot, at present, be described. However, the reports of various studies in rat and human tissue cultures lend support to the hypothesis that hydroxyurea causes an immediate inhibition of DNA synthesis, by acting as a ribonucleotide reductase inhibitor, without interfering with the synthesis of ribonucleic acid or of protein. Hydroxyurea probably acts by decreasing the rate of conversion of ribonucleotides and deoxyr

Losartan reversibly and competitively prevents angiotensin II binding to the AT₁ receptor in tissues like vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Losartan and its active metabolite bind the AT₁ receptor with 1000 times more affinity than they bind to the AT₂ receptor. The active metabolite of losartan is 10-40 times more potent by weight than unmetabolized losartan as an inhibitor of AT₁ and is a non-competitive inhibitor. Losartan's prevention o

Melphalan is an alkylating agent of the bischloroethylamine type. It is believed to be taken up by tumour cells via a neutral amino acid active pathway shared by leucine. Melphalan binds at the N7 position of guanine and induces inter-strand cross-links in DNA, disrupting DNA synthesis or transcription. It can also cause DNA-protein cross-linking and induce lesions in RNA, proteins, and lipids. Melphalan is cytotoxic in resting and rapidly dividing tumour cells.

Meperidine is primarily a kappa-opiate receptor agonist and also has local anesthetic effects. Meperidine has more affinity for the kappa-receptor than morphine. Opiate receptors are coupled with G-protein receptors and function as both positive and negative regulators of synaptic transmission via G-proteins that activate effector proteins. Binding of the opiate stimulates the exchange of GTP for GDP on the G-protein complex. As the effector system is adenylate cyclase and cAMP located at the in

Methotrexate enters tissues and is converted to a methotrexate polyglutamate by folylpolyglutamate. Methotrexate's mechanism of action is due to its inhibition of enzymes responsible for nucleotide synthesis including dihydrofolate reductase, thymidylate synthase, aminoimidazole caboxamide ribonucleotide transformylase (AICART), and amido phosphoribosyltransferase. Inhibtion of nucleotide synthesis prevents cell division. In rheumatoid arthritis, methotrexate polyglutamates inhibit AICART mor

The short term effects of corticosteroids are decreased vasodilation and permeability of capillaries, as well as decreased leukocyte migration to sites of inflammation. Corticosteroids binding to the glucocorticoid receptor mediates changes in gene expression that lead to multiple downstream effects over hours to days. Glucocorticoids inhibit neutrophil apoptosis and demargination; they inhibit phospholipase A2, which decreases the formation of arachidonic acid derivatives; they inhibit NF-Kapp

The active metabolite of mycophenolate, mycophenolic acid, prevents T-cell and B-cell proliferation and the production of cytotoxic T-cells and antibodies. Lymphocyte and monocyte adhesion to endothelial cells of blood vessels that normally part of inflammation is prevented via the glycosylation of cell adhesion molecules by MPA. MPA inhibits de novo purine biosynthesis (that promotes immune cell proliferation) by inhibiting inosine 5’-monophosphate dehydrogenase enzyme (IMPDH), with a preferent

CO/O transfer

Sirolimus works by inhibiting T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation stimulated by antigens and cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, and IL-15. In target cells, sirolimus binds to the cytoplasmic receptor FK506-binding protein-12 (FKBP12), an immunophilin, to form an immunosuppressive complex. FKBP12-sirolimus complex binds to and inhibits the activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), which is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase that regulates cell growth, prolifer

The mechanism of action of tacrolimus in atopic dermatitis is not known. While the following have been observed, the clinical significance of these observations in atopic dermatitis is not known. It has been demonstrated that tacrolimus inhibits T-lymphocyte activation by first binding to an intracellular protein, FKBP-12. A complex of tacrolimus-FKBP-12, calcium, calmodulin, and calcineurin is then formed and the phosphatase activity of calcineurin is inhibited. This prevents the dephosphorylat

The alkyl group is attached to the guanine base of DNA, at the number 7 nitrogen atom of the imidazole ring. They stop tumor growth by crosslinking guanine nucleobases in DNA double-helix strands, directly attacking DNA. This makes the strands unable to uncoil and separate. As this is necessary in DNA replication, the cells can no longer divide. These drugs act nonspecifically.

The mechanism of action by which polyclonal antilymphocyte preparations suppress immune responses is not fully understood. Possible mechanisms by which THYMOGLOBULIN may induce immunosuppression in vivo include: T-cell clearance from the circulation and modulation of T-cell activation, homing, and cytotoxic activities. THYMOGLOBULIN includes antibodies against T-cell markers such as CD2, CD3, CD4, CD8, CD11a, CD18, CD25, CD44, CD45, HLA-DR, HLA Class I heavy chains, and ß2 micro-globulin. In vit