Revolutionising Health: University of Cyberjaya’s Pharmacy Faculty Clinches Gold at Malaysia Technology Expo 2024 with Innovative Probiotic Solution

The Faculty of Pharmacy at the University of Cyberjaya (UoC) has once again reached new heights, securing two prestigious accolades at the Malaysia Technology Expo (MTE) 2024: the Advanced Healthcare and Life Sciences International Innovation Awards & Expo (AHLS IIAE).

Their groundbreaking innovation, ProbiMelt: Advanced Probiotics Film for A Healthier You, Inside and Out, represents a significant advancement in probiotic delivery systems. It earned a gold medal in the Healthcare Management category and a Special Award from the Chinese Innovation and Invention Society (CIIS) in Taiwan.

These honours reflect the dedication and creativity of the research team led by Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Liew Kai Bin, Head of the Department at the University of Cyberjaya’s Faculty of Pharmacy, along with Loke Ying Hui, a lecturer at the same faculty; Vinie Tan Xian Ying, a final-year Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) student; and alumni Ng Zhi Qi and Phang Hiu Ching, both graduates of the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) programme at the University of Cyberjaya.

"This remarkable achievement underscores the dedication, creativity, and collaborative spirit of our community at the University of Cyberjaya," said Associate Professor Ts. Dr. Liew Kai Bin. "It reaffirms our commitment to excellence in research and innovation in the healthcare sector, and we are thrilled to see it recognised on such a prominent stage."

ProbiMelt is an oral fast melt film (OFMF) containing Bacillus coagulans, designed to enhance oral and general health. The film, resembling a postage stamp, rapidly disintegrates upon contact with saliva, releasing probiotics directly into the oral cavity. This innovative method improves compliance with its sweet taste and offers a more convenient alternative to traditional probiotic pills and drinks. "ProbiMelt is a new way of taking probiotics that makes it easy for consumers to use anywhere, anytime," added Dr. Liew.

Project leader Vinie Tan Xian Ying eloquently highlighted the skills she acquired throughout the project: "Pharmaceutical technology was the key knowledge area I applied, particularly in drug formulation and development. Understanding the interactions between excipients and active ingredients was crucial. Additionally, familiarity with the machinery used in this study provided me with valuable insights into the pharmaceutical manufacturing process."

She emphasised the importance of teamwork: "This project taught us the value of collaboration and perseverance. Overcoming challenges together made this achievement even more rewarding. ProbiMelt showcases our innovation and our commitment to improving public health."

The Faculty of Pharmacy also made significant strides last year at the Malaysia Technology Expo, securing two Gold Awards and an Outstanding Award for their innovative projects. Their Que-solving Film, designed for schizophrenia patients, enhances compliance and improves drug delivery, while Chocapine offers a novel method for administering quetiapine fumarate via a chocolate-based formulation. These earlier achievements underscore the faculty's commitment to excellence, and led them to greater innovation in healthcare solutions, and subsequently their most recent achievement.

The MTE's Advanced Healthcare and Life Sciences International Innovation Awards & Expo is a premier platform for showcasing cutting-edge innovations and fostering collaboration among industry leaders and researchers. The accolades received underscore ProbiMelt's exceptional quality and impact in addressing global oral health challenges, particularly dental caries, which affect approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide.

The University of Cyberjaya continues to lead in healthcare innovation, and ProbiMelt's success reflects its commitment to advancing science and improving public health. With recognition from international bodies, the University is excited about ProbiMelt's potential to impact better health and wellness, both locally and globally