obatoclax obatoclax obatoclax mesylate, also known as gx15-070, is an experimental drug for the treatment of various types of cancer. it was discovered by gemin x, which was acquired by cephalon, which has since been acquired by teva pharmaceuticals. several phase ii clinical trials were completed that investigated use of obatoclax in the treatment of leukemia, lymphoma, myelofibrosis, and mastocytosis. obatoclax names iupac name 2-(2-((3,5-dimethyl-1h-pyrrol-2-yl)methylene)-3-methoxy-2h-pyrrol-5-yl)-1h-indole other names gx15-070 identifiers cas number 803712-67-6 y803712-79-0 (mesylate) y 3d model (jsmol) interactive image chemspider 24539359 pubchem cid 1140433716681698 (mesylate) unii qn4128b52a y39200fj43j (mesylate) y inchi inchi=1s/c20h19n3o/c1-12-8-13(2)21-16(12)10-19-20(24-3)11-18(23-19)17-9-14-6-4-5-7-15(14)22-17/h4-11,21-22h,1-3h3/b19-10+ smiles cc1cc(c1/c=c/2\c(=cc(=n2)c3cc4ccccc43)oc)c properties chemical formula c20h19n3o molar mass 317.392 g·mol−1 except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °c , 100 kpa). infobox references mechanism of action obatoclax is an inhibitor of the bcl-2 family of proteins. this inhibition induces apoptosis in cancer cells, preventing tumor growth. solubility has been an issue in the development of the drug. clinical trials clinical trial results have been published for treatment of acute myeloid leukemia, small cell lung cancer, hodgkin's lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes, teva halted a phase iii trial in patients with lung cancer before it had begun, citing "business decisions" as the reason.