IA-DATA

Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics (UMADT)

Project

The Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics (UMADT) research group, a flagship initiative under IA-DATA, is Southeast Asia’s first interdisciplinary hub dedicated to bridging healthcare gaps in low-resource settings. By uniting clinicians, scientists, policymakers, and industry partners, UMADT positions Malaysia as a leader in affordable diagnostics and drug repurposing for ASEAN, IsDB-linked countries, and the global South. Our mission is to develop accessible, evidence-based medical solutions—from cancer and infectious diseases to inflammatory disorders—through cutting-edge research, ethical clinical trials, and strategic partnerships.

UMADT’s innovative framework combines WHO-aligned methodologies with local infrastructure, including MyLiSA for diagnostics development and MOH hospitals (via Clinical Research Malaysia, IMR, ICR) for clinical validation. We are building a pipeline of repurposed drugs and affordable diagnostics, rigorously tested through our clinical trial platform to ensure safety, efficacy, and scalability. Collaborating with global academic institutions and responsible industry partners, we also create pathways for market access via Product Development Partnerships (PDPs), ensuring life-saving innovations reach underserved populations.
As a hub for multi-sectoral collaboration, UMADT drives capacity building, policy advocacy, and sustainable healthcare innovation. Our initiatives—from workshops and funding partnerships to ASEAN-centric knowledge transfer—empower Malaysia to become a global center of excellence in affordable medicine. By addressing unmet medical needs and fostering a virtuous cycle of research-to-market solutions, UMADT is redefining equitable healthcare for the next generation.

Initiatives

1. Mechanism of Action Studies on Artesunate – A series of laboratory investigations has been initiated to explore the mechanism of action of artesunate in non-malarial use.
  1. Prof Dr Ivy Chung (Universiti Malaya) – A PhD project on the anti-tumor effects of artesunate on the tumor microenvironment of colorectal cancer.
  2. Prof Yap Lee Fah (Universiti Malaya) – A PhD project on the anti-tumor effects of artesunate on the tumor microenvironment of nasopharyngeal cancer.
  3. Assoc Prof Dr Cindy Teh (Universiti Malaya) – A PhD project on the anti-tumor effects of artesunate on the vaginome in patients with HPV-associated cervical intraneoplasia (CIN).
  4. Prof Loo Chu Kiong (Universiti Malaya) – A MSc project to integrate artificial intelligence-assisted network pharmacology and the TCMNP framework to elucidate artesunate’s mechanism in malaria and non-malarial diseases.
  5. Dr Melissa Lim (Universiti Malaysia Sarawak) – A PhD project to delineate the mechanism of action of artesunate on cervical cancer.
2. WHO guideline development for repurposing artesunate in non-malarial health conditions
3. Framework for drug repurposing in Malaysian context – what are the opportunities and barriers?
4. Mapping the landscape of diagnostic innovations for oncology and infectious diseases in Malaysia

Team Members

Professor Sanjeev Krishna

Chief Investigator

Dr Yolanda Augustin

Co-Chief Investigator

Professor Ivy Chung

Project Leader

Professor Ivy Chung

Project Leader

Partners

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