When Infectious Diseases Resist Drugs
AI platform developed in-house to help find new drugs.
It is estimated that bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths and contributed to 4.95 million deaths in 2019. By 2050, antimicrobial infections are projected to cause 10 million deaths worldwide, outracing cancers, and the World Bank estimates that AMR could result in US$1 trillion additional healthcare costs. No doubt, AMR is a top threat to global public health and development.
| Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) happens when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites develop the ability to resist drugs that were once effective against them due to mutations or acquired drug-resistant genes. |
Dr Ma Cong, Associate Professor of the Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, is braving deadly microorganisms to find a cure. With an award-winning AI-assisted platform, Dr Ma is steering Ynno Med Limited, a PolyU drug research startup company he co-founded, to accelerate the discovery of novel antimicrobials while suppressing resistance generation, all at a low cost.
Quick search and accurate analysis
Drug discovery using traditional methods can be a time-consuming process. However, with the help of deep learning algorithms, AI can quickly and accurately analyse large sets of genomic, proteomic, and clinical data to identify potential targets. It can also evaluate diverse bioactive structures to generate new molecules and learn from these structures to predict the best drug candidates with optimal bioactivity, safety, and drug-likeness.
The deployment of Ynno Med’s inhouse developed AI-assisted platform significantly shortens time, streamlines processes, and ultimately reduces costs and failure rates involved in the discovery and pre-clinical stages of drug development.
The startup has pioneered the development of bacterial transcription inhibitors as new antimicrobial agents. A new class of cutting-edge antibiotic agents protected by patents have been developed and proven to effectively combat drug-resistant pathogens. These antibiotics show great potential for use in clinical settings.
The startup has pioneered the development of bacterial transcription inhibitors as new antimicrobial agents. A new class of cutting-edge antibiotic agents protected by patents have been developed and proven to effectively combat drug-resistant pathogens. These antibiotics show great potential for use in clinical settings.
Dr Ma Cong
Associate Professor, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology
Co-founder, Ynno Med Limited
First-in-class antimicrobial medicines made in Hong Kong
Ynno Med has formed a strategic partnership with Shanghai Pharmaceuticals Holding to expedite the approval process of the new drugs in Mainland China.
“The world is so desperate for novel antibiotics that regulatory bodies are under enormous pressure to accelerate their approval process,” Dr Ma said. “We target to obtain accreditation for the new product from the drug administration agencies in Mainland China and USA, and to commence clinical trials in 2026.”
Earlier in June, Dr Ma led Ynno Med to participate in the BIO International Convention 2024 in San Diego, USA. As the world’s largest and most comprehensive event for biotechnology, the convention provided an ideal platform for Ynno Med to unveil its groundbreaking drug candidates.
“Our goal is to design, develop, and distribute first-in-class antimicrobial medicines made in Hong Kong,” Dr Ma said.
Ynno Med also gained international acclaim by winning the Science Breakthrough of Year 2023 in the Falling Walls Science Summit, a global platform held in Berlin, Germany, which provides a stage for pioneering science-based startups to prove how their entrepreneurial solutions can help solve today’s most pressing challenges. Additionally, the company was selected to be featured on Nature’s website as one of the six science startups representing the “next generation of groundbreaking scientists”.
“Being the only winner from Hong Kong and the only biotech from Asia for this science startups award, we consider this to be an encouragement and recognition of Hong Kong’s prowess on the international stage. Through this opportunity, we aim to demonstrate our dedication to knowledge transfer from the University and make impactful contributions to society,” Dr Ma said.
