Students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), have once again demonstrated their excellence on the national stage. The team, consisting of Dzaki Hasan Nasruallah, Shabrina Adzhani, and Kevin Lensrich Kar, won First Place in the prestigious PICS Pharmanova ITB 2025 competition. This event focuses on advancing gene therapy for rare genetic diseases in Indonesia.
In the competition, the UGM team presented an advanced gene therapy concept targeting the rare condition Brugada Syndrome. Their proposal utilized cutting-edge technologies such as CRISPR-Cas9 and Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) delivery systems, aiming to pave the way for future treatment solutions. This victory not only showcases the intelligence and creativity of UGM students but also marks a significant first step towards delivering innovative treatment options for patients in Indonesia.
The team’s success was made possible thanks to the guidance and full support of their supervisors: Prof. Dr. apt. Susi Ari Kristina, M.Kes.; Prof. Dr.rer.nat. apt. Adam Hermawan, M.Sc.; and apt. Muhammad Seftian, M.Pharm.Sci., as well as mentorship from Putri Maharani.
This achievement aligns with the global commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in fostering innovations with broad societal impact. The gene therapy innovation developed by the UGM team contributes to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, by creating new technologies that advance the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors in Indonesia. Furthermore, it supports SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, as the successful development of gene therapy can generate new jobs in research and the pharmaceutical industry, while increasing societal productivity through more effective disease management. Lastly, the multi-sector partnership potential fostered by this competition reflect SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, which is essential in building an adaptive and sustainable gene therapy ecosystem.
