Annual Report 2005–06

研究 Research 49 Technology Transfer • A Patented Method for Extracting APG, an Active Ingredient of Yunzhi Research conducted by Prof. Albert Chow and his Ph.D. student Dr. Kevin Chu of the School of Pharmacy has led to the discovery of absorbable peptidoglucan (APG), a novel active ingredient in Yunzhi that can be readily absorbed by the human intestine and is effective in stimulating the immune system. Prof. Chow also developed a proprietary extraction method to enable APG to be retained in large quantities in the Yunzhi extract. The invention, which was granted a US Patent, was licensed to a health supplement manufacturer, which also appointed Dr. Kevin Chu as its R&D Manager. Oncozac™, a product based on the proprietary extraction method, has been launched. • A Proprietary Natural Product for Treating Insomnia Prof. Chan Hsiao Chang of the Epithelial Cell Biology Research Centre and her research team have developed a proprietary natural alternative product for insomnia and other sleep-related disorders. Prof. Chan employed a number of new and innovative techniques, such as molecular and cell biological techniques and electrophysiology in combination with chemical analysis, to verify the effect of the herb. A product based on the study has been launched by Bright Future Pharmaceutical Laboratories Ltd. • Modernization of Traditional Chinese Medicine In June 2000, the Innovation and Technology Fund and Eu Yan Sang (Hong Kong) Ltd. provided the University with HK$9.28 million to conduct a three-year research on the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects of Bak Foong Pills (BFP), a well- known Chinese healthcare product based on a century-old formula. The project was led by Prof. Chan Hsiao Chang of the Epithelial Cell Biology Research Centre. The project confirmed the beneficial effects of BFP, and led to the development of a new formula which focuses on the menopausal syndrome. The product was launched by Eu Yan Sang (Hong Kong) Ltd. • GengShuAn Granule as Alternative to Estrogen Replacement Therapy EstrogenReplacement Therapy is a common therapy for postmenopausal women suffering from the menopausal syndrome. With support from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Institute of Chinese Medicine, Prof. Wang Jun of the Biochemistry Department and Prof. Hui Yong Zheng of the Shanghai Innovative Research Centre of Traditional Chinese Medicine developed GengShuAn Granule, a Chinese medication based on an ancient prescription for relieving the menopausal syndrome. The research team aims at submitting a new drug application to the State Food and Drug Administration of China for the new formula. 科技轉移 · 提取雲芝有效成分的獨特專利技術 藥劑學院周喜林教授及其博士研究生朱家榮 博士的研究發現，雲芝含有「可吸收月太葡聚糖」 （APG），APG具有提高人體免疫系統功能的 作用，而且容易被人體吸收。周教授更開發了一 套獨特的提取技術，令APG能大量存留於雲芝 提取物中。該技術的專利權已授予本地一家健康 食品生產公司，而朱家榮博士亦獲聘為該公司的 研究部經理。公司已成功利用該提取技術製成 「安固生」 ™ 雲芝膠囊，並於市面發售。 · 新一代治療失眠之天然藥物 上皮細胞生物學研究中心陳小章教授及其研究 隊伍，成功開發一種全新的用於治療失眠及改善 睡眠的產品。研究隊伍利用現代科技手段如分 子生物技術、細胞生物技術和電生理技術，結合 化學分析方法等，確定產品的成分及其作用機理 和作用途徑。該產品現已由澳美製藥有限公司推 出市場。 · 傳統中藥現代化 香港創新及科技基金與余仁生（香港）有限公司 於二零零零年六月合資九百二十八萬港元，資助 中大研究「白鳳丸」成效的藥理機制。研究由上 皮細胞生物學研究中心負責，除了為「白鳳丸」 建立了藥理基礎外，更提出治療更年期綜合症的 新配方。這配方能調節老年動物體內的雌激素 分泌，抗高血壓，以及修復免疫系統的失衡。這 項研究印證了「白鳳丸」的藥效，並開發了針對 更年期婦女的保健產品「延彩白鳳丸」，有關產 品正由余仁生（香港）有限公司發售。 · 雌激素替代療法的中藥替代藥物──更舒安顆 粒的研製 雌激素替代療法（Estrogen Replacement Therapy, ERT）普遍用於醫治患有更年期綜合症的婦女。 隨著雌激素的廣泛使用，其副作用亦逐漸浮現， 如致癌、引發心肌梗塞和器官發炎等。生物化學 系王駿教授聯同上海中藥創新研究中心的惠永 正教授，獲香港賽馬會中藥研究院有限公司資 助，成功利用古方，研製適用於婦女更年期綜合 症的中藥複方藥物──更舒安顆粒。研究隊伍正 準備替該中藥複方藥物向國家食品藥品監督管 理局遞交新藥註冊申請。