FAST nanotechnology unveiled at Rome Global Congress by AU scientist

Stephen Hsu, PhD, a professor at the Dental College of Georgia at Augusta University, unveiled his groundbreaking nanotechnology, known as FAST, during a keynote address at the 8th World Congress on Infectious Diseases in Rome, Italy.

FAST, or Facilitated Self-Assembling Technology, offers a revolutionary way to convert compounds that are difficult to dissolve in water into stable nanoparticles. This innovation could transform drug development, viral infection prevention, hospital hygiene and more.

“FAST takes a completely different approach from traditional nanotechnology,” Hsu explained. “Unlike methods that rely on polymers, metals, surfactants, fat-based carriers or complex engineering processes, FAST allows compounds to self-assemble into nanoparticles with minimal effort. This makes drugs that were once nearly impossible to formulate in water stable, effective and practical for medical and consumer use.”

At the heart of this innovation is EC16, or EGCG-palmitate, a lipid-soluble compound derived from green tea. Known for its antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, green tea has long been studied but is challenging to use in clinical settings due to stability issues. FAST overcomes these limitations, transforming EC16 and other hydrophobic compounds into water-friendly nanoparticles.

“You can’t even tell the particles are there,” said Hsu. “They look just like water. I made several different formulations in one afternoon in my lab. It’s that fast and simple.”

A natural solution to global challenges

Hsu’s work is the culmination of decades of research and a deeply personal journey. He credits green tea with helping him survive illness during his youth in a labor camp in China. Now, he’s turning its natural properties into cutting-edge therapies with the hope of helping more people.

“I’ve been drinking green tea my entire life,” Hsu said. “Now, we’re turning its benefits into medical-grade treatments.”

Supported by over $600,000 in NIH grants, Hsu’s team is developing applications like alcohol-free disinfectants and nasal sprays to prevent respiratory virus infections. One promising product is an EC16-based disinfectant that is natural, non-toxic and highly effective against tough pathogens, like norovirus and C. difficile, a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea.

“That’s a big deal for schools, hospitals and places like cruise ships, where these infections spread easily,” he said.

Tackling long COVID and beyond

Among FAST’s most promising applications is a nasal spray developed to prevent or treat long COVID and other respiratory illnesses. The spray, currently undergoing preclinical testing, targets viral entry points in the nasal mucosa, where infections often begin.

“Our goal is to help immunocompromised patients and those with lingering symptoms like brain fog and loss of smell,” Hsu said. “We’ve already seen strong in vitro results against human coronavirus and norovirus.”

In addition to nasal and topical treatments, Hsu’s team has developed oral formulations of EC16 that remain stable through the stomach’s acidic environment, critical for treating gastrointestinal viruses and potentially inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s.

“We found that even without direct contact with the virus, the EC16 nanoparticles taken by mouth can reduce infection,” Hsu explained. “That’s a major step forward in treatment of digestive tract viral infections.”

A platform for the future of medicine

FAST isn’t limited to green tea compounds. Hsu’s method can transform a wide range of hydrophobic compounds like cannabidiol, ivermectin, quercetin, procyanidin and retinoic acid, as well as hundreds of existing drugs, into nanoparticle suspensions that are stable and water-friendly.

“This has huge implications,” said Hsu. “Up to 90% of new drug candidates have poor water solubility and low bioavailability, which limits their effectiveness. With FAST, we can change that.”

His lab is already exploring applications in Alzheimer’s research, cancer therapy, oral health and even anti-biofilm coatings to prevent hospital infections. These products, along with the nasal spray, are expected to hit the market this fall.

Hsu is currently finalizing publications and preparing patent filings to protect and expand the reach of FAST. While optimistic, he remains cautious.

“The results so far are phenomenal. FAST could be a new chapter in how we fight disease and deliver medicine,” Hsu said.

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