HKU Science Project on Peptide Drug Innovation Secures RAISe+ Funding

A research project led by Professor Xuechen LI from the Department of Chemistry has been selected for funding under the third round of the Research, Academic and Industry Sectors One-plus (RAISe+) Scheme by the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC).

The project, Peptide Drug Innovation and Discovery, focuses on advancing next-generation peptide therapeutics, a class of drugs that use short chains of amino acids to precisely target biological processes. With the global peptide drug market continuing to grow rapidly, the project aims to address key limitations of conventional peptide drugs, including their instability, poor permeability, and short half-lives.

By tackling these challenges, the team aims to develop peptide drug candidates with improved efficacy and broader clinical potential, helping to develop more accessible therapies for patients worldwide. The project also positions Hong Kong to play a more active role in the rapidly expanding peptide therapeutics landscape.

Professor Li is the Morningside Professor in Chemical Biology and Chair Professor of Medicinal Chemistry and Chemical Biology at HKU Chemistry. His research focuses on chemical biology, peptide science, and drug discovery.

The RAISe+ scheme, supported by the ITC of the HKSAR Government, aims to foster cooperation between the research, academic, and industry sectors to accelerate the commercialisation of R&D outcomes. By bridging the gap between laboratories and industrial applications, these projects are poised to deliver substantial societal and economic benefits.