ARDS is a severe lung inflammatory disease (mortality rate: 30-70%). The severity and high mortality of ARDS call for the development of potent therapeutic agents to target the disease and its symptoms. Aiming to participate in the global effort to find ARDS treatment, we discovered a plant-derived natural product, LS-PH, which was found to specifically target a novel receptor, type I formyl peptide receptor (FPR1). LS-PH has potential as the first-in-class ARDS drug.
The current discovery:  
1. LS-PH was patented in Taiwan and USA. The patent application in China is still in progress.
2. The ARDS animal model and preliminary toxicological studies were completed.
3. LS-PH and its plant extract were approved by The International Cosmetic Ingredient Nomenclature Committee.
4. The  gram-level chemical synthesis were established.
5. FPR1 antagonistic drugs are still in the research and developmental stage, and LS-PH possesses an interesting opportunity to be developed as a drug lead.

In clinical settings, there are no drugs that can prevent or significantly control the symptoms of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). As an antagonist of formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1), LS-PH is expected to break through the plight of ARDS treatment.

Among the seven major markets (7MM) in 2017, the market size of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) was USD 932.8 million for drugs targeting its symptoms. Since there is no drug that can be used alone to improve the condition, our discovery will utilize the blue ocean marketing principle by taking advantage of developing novel therapeutic entity targeting formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1).