Thioredoxin Systems

Thioredoxin Systems AB is a Swedish pharmaceutical company focused on developing a novel antibiotic treatment to combat the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The company was founded in 1994 by the late Professor Arne Holmgren, a distinguished professor at the Karolinska Institute and a globally recognized pioneer in redox biology for his work on the thioredoxin and glutaredoxin systems. Holmgren's extensive research into sulphur- and selenium-dependent redox mechanisms, crucial for processes like DNA synthesis and defense against oxidative stress, laid the scientific foundation for the company. His legacy is continued by his children, Magnus Holmgren and Anna-Lena Sventelius, who serve on the board of directors.

The company's lead product is EbsArgent®, a patented, first-in-class combination of ebselen and silver. This formulation targets the essential thioredoxin reductase system in bacteria, a novel mechanism of action that distinguishes it from existing antibiotics. Ebselen works by disabling this crucial bacterial enzyme system, while silver ions are used to synergistically improve ebselen's uptake into the bacteria. This dual-action approach has demonstrated high bactericidal activity against a wide range of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, including those classified as critical priority pathogens by the World Health Organization (WHO). Thioredoxin Systems is initially targeting the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs), a field where resistance to current antibiotics is a growing concern. Preclinical studies in mouse models have shown EbsArgent to be safe, with low toxicity and good efficacy against multidrug-resistant infections.

Thioredoxin Systems operates on a B2B model within the pharmaceutical and life sciences industry, aiming to bring its innovative therapeutic to the clinical market. The company's business strategy involves advancing EbsArgent through clinical trials to gain regulatory approval and eventually commercialize it as a prescription medicinal product. In October 2024, the company secured approximately $2.4 million in a Series A financing round from investors including GU Ventures, Gobia Enterprises, and Vasa Angels to support this development. The company is currently led by CEO Elias Arnér, MD, PhD, who is also a Professor in Biochemistry at the Karolinska Institute with a deep background in selenoprotein and thioredoxin system research.

Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, antibiotic development, EbsArgent, thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, multidrug-resistant bacteria, urinary tract infections, redox biology, ebselen, silver combination therapy, pharmaceutical, life sciences, biotechnology, Arne Holmgren, Elias Arnér, Karolinska Institutet, cUTI treatment, bactericidal agent, novel mechanism of action, drug discovery, clinical trials, venture capital-backed