The GRC group also foresees that the ammunition is running out in the battle with drug-resistant influenza viruses. In 2007, the team discovered Tamiphosphor as a new potent neuraminidase inhibitor against human and avian influenza. The team has continuously worked on improving the efficacy of Tamiphosphor against influenza viruses. By incorporation of guanidine group and monoethyl ester, the new Tamiphosphor derivatives showed enhanced activity against a wide range of Tamiflu-sensitive and Tamiflu-resistant viruses in mice tests. Thorough pharmacokinetics studies in animals indicated that the Tamiphosphor derivatives survive through metabolism. These molecules may be developed with non-oral administration, or made orally available with improvements in formulation. The research results showed promise to develop new anti-influenza agents for practical therapeutic uses.

This research project was directed by Dr Chi-Huey Wong and Dr Jim-Min Fang, a professor at National Taiwan University, with a joint appointment at the center. In addition to the scientists at the center, the project involved efforts from the Center of Disease Control in Taiwan, Dr Oliver Yoa-Pu Hu from National Defense Medical Center in Taiwan and Taimed Biologics and Dr E Bart Tarbet from the Utah State University in the US.

The papers, 'Chemical probes for drug-resistance assessment by binding competition (RABC): oseltamivir susceptibility evaluation' and 'Development of oseltamivir phosphonate congeners as anti-influenza agents', were published in Angewante Chemie and Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, respectively.