TSY-0210 is a drug repurposing project utilizing a known antibiotic with a focused, but potent antibacterial spectrum that addresses nearly half of the priority pathogens identified by the World Health Organization (WHO). The agent, whose mechanism of action is less susceptible to strain resistance, has inhibitory effect on eight of the pathogens designated by the US CDC (see following table).

Antimicrobial resistance is also known as the “silent epidemic”. According to a 2019 study by the University of Washington, 1.27 million people died directly and 4.95 million indirectly due to antibiotic resistance, equivalent to one death every 10 minutes, and in the same year, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized it as one of the top ten public health crises in the world.

If antibiotics are ineffective, medical procedures such as surgery and treatment of chronic diseases cannot be performed. The U.S. Congress introduced the “Pasteur Act” in 2020, which authorized the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into subscription contracts for critical-need antimicrobial drugs, providing $11 billion in appropriations for activities under the bill, and contains other related provisions in the next ten years to encourage pharmaceutical companies to invest in antibiotic research and development.

Formosa Pharmaceuticals possesses a novel manufacturing process that provides robust yields with enhanced purity compared to the marketed product, which has distribution in limited regions.

Together with AimMax Therapeutics, Formosa Pharmaceuticals is positioning TSY-0210 for novel disease applications. Additionally, due to its low water solubility, TSY-0210 is a prime candidate for the APNT nanotechnology platform and may be studied accordingly to improve dissolution and physicochemical properties.