Yogyakarta, May 1, 2026 — Students from the Faculty of Pharmacy at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), members of the JYJYUR IZZIN Team, achieved a remarkable feat by winning the First Place at the Pharmadays X JEE 2026 Industrial Case Competition (ICC). This achievement was made possible by their innovative idea, Ancell UlcaHeal, a natural-based bioscaffold patch specifically designed to accelerate the treatment of diabetic ulcers.
This nationwide competition was organized by the Gadjah Mada Drug Information Center (PIOGAMA) in collaboration with the Indonesian Health Students Network (JMKI) at the UGM School of Pharmacy. With the theme “Development of Herbal-Based Topical Formulations to Accelerate Wound Healing,” this event challenges pharmacy students to formulate comprehensive solutions to real-world problems in the pharmaceutical industry, ranging from the formulation stage and Quality by Design (QbD)-based production to marketing strategies and pricing.
To address these challenges, the JYJYUR IZZIN team formulated Ancell UlcaHeal using cellulose nanofibrils derived from sugarcane bagasse as the primary matrix, combined with chitosan polymer. Through freeze-drying and crosslinking, the structure of this bioscaffold is capable of optimally encapsulating natural active ingredients. This innovative formula combines extracts of binahong leaves (Anredera cordifolia) and gotu kola leaves (Centella asiatica), which are rich in anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, proliferative, and antibacterial agents, to support the principle of moist wound healing.
The JYJYUR IZZIN team’s journey to the championship podium was achieved through a series of rigorous competition rounds from April to August 2026. After successfully passing the proposal-writing preliminary round, the team was selected as one of the top five finalists eligible to advance to the final round. During the grand final, held in person on Sunday (August 30) in the 8th-floor auditorium of the APSLC Building at UGM’s Faculty of Pharmacy, the team impressed the panel of academic and industry judges with a 10-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute scientific debate.
This outstanding achievement by the JYJYUR IZZIN Team is a tangible example of the contribution made by students at the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy toward accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. The development of a topical formulation to accelerate the healing of diabetic ulcers directly supports SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being by providing the public with a safer, more effective, and science-based alternative for treating chronic wounds.
Furthermore, the use of sugarcane bagasse as a bioscaffold matrix represents an environmentally friendly innovation that aligns with SDG 12 on Responsible Consumption and Production through efforts to upcycle agricultural waste into high-value materials. Mastery of freeze-drying technology and the design of production processes that meet modern pharmaceutical industry standards within this initiative also help strengthen SDG 9 on Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.
Author: Gilang | Photo: Tim Mahasiswa Farmasi UGM
