Yogyakarta, September 14, 2026 — Students from the Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), have once again achieved an outstanding accomplishment at the PHARMACIOUS 2026 Scientific Essay Competition. Team Cius Nih Kak, consisting of Zuhroturrhitofah, Meliza Sari, and Adellia Mayreza, secured first place in the competition. Their achievement was earned through an innovative concept that integrates the potential of herbal ingredients with advanced drug delivery technology to support the development of skincare treatments.
PHARMACIOUS 2026 is a competition organized by the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy to provide a platform for university students to develop ideas and innovations in the pharmaceutical field. Carrying the theme “Resonansi Fito-Estetika 5.0: Integrating Technology in Herbal Utilization to Achieve Balance in the Modern Beauty Industry,” the competition was open to individual and team participants from universities across Indonesia. PHARMACIOUS 2026 featured four competition categories: Scientific Essay Competition, Drug Packaging Design Competition, Industrial Case Competition, and Patient Counseling Competition. The competition consisted of two stages: a preliminary round involving the submission and evaluation of entries, followed by a final round featuring idea presentations and question-and-answer sessions with the judging panel.
For the competition, Team Cius Nih Kak presented LICONOVA, an innovative hydrogel-forming microneedle patch that combines microneedle technology with the herbal ingredient Glycyrrhiza glabra as a novel approach to addressing rosacea-related skin concerns. The concept harnesses the potential of bioactive compounds in Glycyrrhiza glabra, which are known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-angiogenic properties. Hydrogel-forming microneedle technology was selected as part of the active compound delivery approach developed in this innovation. LICONOVA is designed to help maintain and restore skin barrier homeostasis, which can be disrupted in rosacea. By combining natural ingredients with advanced drug delivery technology, this innovation is expected to serve as a foundation for developing more effective and sustainable herbal-based skincare products, although further research is still needed to evaluate its safety and efficacy.
Team Cius Nih Kak secured first place after successfully passing the preliminary evaluation and presenting their concept before answering questions from the judging panel in the final round. This accomplishment demonstrates the students’ ability to develop creative, pharmaceutical science-based ideas to address challenges in skin health and the beauty industry. It also encourages students to continue exploring the potential of natural ingredients and integrating them with technological advancements to generate innovative solutions that respond to societal needs.
This achievement aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) through the development of ideas focused on skin health; SDG 4 (Quality Education) through strengthening students’ research competencies, critical thinking, and innovation; and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through the exploration of active compound delivery technologies to support skincare product development. This accomplishment is expected to inspire students to continue developing pharmaceutical innovations that integrate scientific knowledge, technology, and the potential of natural ingredients.
