Wednesday, July 8, 2026

Drug profile · INN

bexarotene

bexarotene (TARGRETIN) is a retinoid x receptor agonist. Associated with Amneal Pharma Europe Ltd. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

FDA: approved EMA: approved Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01) L01XF03
US status approved
Patents linked 20
Pipeline programs 12
News articles 0
Drug details — bexarotene
US status
approved
Class
Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
Route
TOPICAL
Patents
20
Programs
12
Data quality
0.89

Quick answer

bexarotene (TARGRETIN) is a retinoid x receptor agonist. Associated with Amneal Pharma Europe Ltd. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

Key facts

INN bexarotene
Brand TARGRETIN
Mechanism Retinoid X receptor agonist
Target Retinoid X receptor
Therapeutic class Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
Route TOPICAL
Formulation CAPSULE
ATC code L01XF03

Mechanism of action

Retinoid X receptor agonist

Primary target: Retinoid X receptor

Approval history

Authority Status Date
FDA approved
EMA approved

Pipeline programs

  1. Targretin Gel 1% Phase 3 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Alopecia Areata
  2. bexarotene Phase 3 · Eisai · Non-small Cell Lung Cancer
  3. Bexarotene Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Lung Cancer
  4. Bexarotene Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Sarcoma, Kaposi
  5. Bexarotene (targretin) Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Carcinoma, Non-small-cell Lung
  6. Bexarotene 1% gel Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Parapsoriasis
  7. Bexarotene/NBUVB vs placebo NBUVB Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Psoriasis
  8. bexarotene Phase 2 · LIGAND PHARMACEUTICALS · Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma

Related & competitor drugs

  1. abiraterone acetate Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L02)
  2. anagrelide Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
  3. apremilast Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L04)
  4. arsenic trioxide Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
  5. axitinib Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
  6. azacitidine Antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (L01)
  1. US 12123012

    Methods and compositions for nucleic acid and protein payload delivery

    Expires Mon Oct 17 2044 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  2. US 11970482

    Acetal compounds and therapeutic uses thereof

    Expires Mon Apr 25 2044 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  3. US 11773110

    Heterocycle amines and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Sep 28 2043 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  4. US 11566041

    Nucleotide prodrug compounds

    Expires Mon Jan 26 2043 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  5. US 11278559

    Prodrug compounds and their uses

    Expires Mon Mar 17 2042 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  6. US 11186593

    Heterocycle amines and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Nov 25 2041 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  7. US 10975388

    Methods and compositions for nucleic acid and protein payload delivery

    Expires Mon Apr 08 2041 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  8. US 10874638

    Methods and compositions for modulating hormone levels

    Expires Mon Dec 24 2040 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  9. US 10604533

    Heterocycle amines and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Mar 26 2040 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  10. US 10449210

    Prodrug compounds and their uses

    Expires Mon Oct 17 2039 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  11. US 10441567

    Methods and compositions for modulating hormone levels

    Expires Mon Oct 10 2039 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  12. US 10150788

    Prodrug compounds and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Dec 06 2038 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  13. US 10030034

    Heterocycle amines and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Jul 19 2038 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  14. US 9994600

    Prodrug compounds and uses therof

    Expires Mon Jun 07 2038 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  15. US 9662312

    Method for treating glomerulosclerosis

    Expires Mon May 25 2037 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  16. US 9326991

    Nucleotide prodrug compounds and use

    Expires Mon Apr 28 2036 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  17. US 9266874

    Heterocycle amines and uses thereof

    Expires Mon Feb 18 2036 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  18. US 9174917

    Bexarotene analogs

    Expires Mon Oct 29 2035 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  19. US 7919248

    Methods for the modulation of IL-13

    Expires Mon Mar 31 2031 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted
  20. US 7691895

    Thrombopoietin activity modulating compounds and methods

    Expires Mon Apr 01 2030 00:00:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

    granted

Frequently asked questions

What is bexarotene?

bexarotene (TARGRETIN) is a retinoid x receptor agonist. Associated with Amneal Pharma Europe Ltd. Route of administration: topical. Current US regulatory status: approved.

What is the brand name for bexarotene?

TARGRETIN is a marketed brand name for bexarotene. Check FDA Drugs@FDA for the current US label holder and prescribing information.

What is the US approval status of bexarotene?

bexarotene has approved status in the United States according to our Drugs@FDA-derived records. Verify on the official FDA label before clinical or commercial decisions.