22 封面專題 • COVER STORY 澳大新語 • 2024 UMAGAZINE 30 Prof Ouyang adds that formulation design is a crucial stage in drug development, which involves the testing of a drug’s physical and chemical properties as well as its release mechanisms. However, traditional formulation design is time-consuming and costly as it relies heavily on extensive experimentation and experience. To streamline this process, Prof Ouyang’s team has launched the Formulation AI platform. This platform integrates drug formulation databases with advanced AI algorithms to optimise drug design process, improving efficiency and accuracy while reducing reliance on experiments. According to Prof Ouyang, Formulation AI can predict and evaluate 17 key characteristics of solubility-enhancing formulations for poorly soluble drugs in six delivery systems: cyclodextrin complexes, solid dispersions, phospholipid complexes, nanocrystals, self-emulsifying systems, and liposomes. ‘Formulation AI can provide rapid predictions without complex theoretical calculations or laboratory testing, transforming formulation development from an experience-driven process to a data-driven one,’ Prof Ouyang says. ‘Over 300 leading pharmaceutical companies and research institutes are using the platform.’ Advancing Research in Synthetic Biology for Chinese Medicine Many medicinal plants are scarce and highly susceptible to factors such as cultivation environment and climate, leading to variability in both quality and active ingredient content. To address this, researchers at UM are exploring ways to simulate the biosynthesis of active ingredients in Chinese medicine. By constructing artificial biological systems and using synthetic methods, they aim to stabilise the extraction of active ingredients. Additionally, ICMS and the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences have been jointly training doctoral students since 2023. The two parties are also working on the development of a joint laboratory for synthetic biology in Chinese medicine. Driving Innovation in Chinese Medicine Through Interdisciplinary Research UM’s SKL-QRCM works closely with research institutes both within and outside the university. Their collaborative efforts promote interdisciplinary research in the field of Chinese medicine, open up new avenues for the sustainable development of the Chinese medicine industry, expand the global influence of Chinese medicine, and make greater contributions to the development of the ‘big health’ industry. 歐陽德方教授 Prof Ouyang Defang Formulation AI平台 The Formulation AI platform
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