Tarn Biosciences

Tarn Biosciences is a biotech organization based in East Lansing with the mission to develop therapies for tuberculosis (TB), non-tuberculous mycobacterium (NTM) and other mycobacterial infections.

Mycobacteria are a type of germ (bacteria) and the most notable species causes tuberculosis, associated with approximately 1.5 million deaths per year. The World Health Organization (WHO) describes multi-drug resistant (MDR) and extensively drug resistant (XDR) tuberculosis strains, along with other multi-drug resistant bacterial infections, as being of great concern in our future.

Other high prevalence, important mycobacterial species causing lung diseases are NTM infections and the CDC and the WHO have expressed great concern over DR-NTM strains. Together, TB and NTM have highly concerning worldwide prevalence and incidence rates. The US NTM prevalence in 2019 was 92.3/100,000 (NIAID) and has been consistently doubling every 8 years meaning the current prevalence is at least 150/100,000.  There are no existing treatments for approximately 20% of those infected. Of particular risk are those from ever-growing populations who are immunocompromised or suffering from COPD or cystic fibrosis as comorbidities. Severe drug side effects are a concern with TB and NTM therapeutics. New and effective drug therapies represent a critical need for TB and NTM throughout the world. These markets are large and growing.