Thematic Cluster: RELIEF: Resilient, Evidence-Led Itch & Flare Medicines for Lupus on the Brain-Immune-Skin Axis (Monash Malaysia)

We are pioneering a new class of advanced, cytokine-based treatments for cutaneous lupus, a condition marked by debilitating itch and painful skin lesions. Our innovative approach simultaneously targets the root causes of inflammation and the neuro-metabolic signals that fuel persistent itching. We are engineering these treatments to be stable in tropical climates and easy to manufacture, ensuring they are accessible. Our mission is to deliver life-changing therapies that not only heal the skin but also restore quality of life by providing profound relief from the relentless itch, allowing for better sleep and daily comfort.

Impact: The collective projects’ expected impact includes patentable leads and repurposed candidates with regulator-ready non-clinical packs; a transferred PD/biomarker toolkit for routine use at MUM; and manufacture-ready files with Malaysian usability data that enable local production. The societal benefits are immediate and tangible, including steroid-sparing care, better sleep and productivity, and climate-ready products that strengthen medicine security through equitable access, local manufacturability and resilient supply chains, all that is real-world relevant and can potentially enhance MUM’s reputation in the national and global media.

Project 1 (School of Pharmacy)

Preclinical discovery of heat-resilient small molecules for cutaneous lupus itch & flare control

Cutaneous lupus frequently coexists with intractable itch, vasculitic skin lesions and infectious triggers (e.g., Staphylococcus aureus carriage), while neurometabolic drift (kynurenine/LPA) fuels persistent symptoms. This project will deliver triple-action, orally stable small molecules that inhibit inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α), IL-17 and IL-31, while blunting neutrophil/NETosis–complement injury to reduce flare propensity and desensitise P2X3/TRPA1 itch circuits and normalise pruritogens (KMO–kynurenine, autotaxin–LPA). The work will design structures of a focus library of small molecules and run phenotypic screens in cell models and human neutrophil assays. Lead candidates will be optimised for Zone IVb stability (30°C/75% RH long-term; 40 °C/75% RH accelerated) and oral absorption. Expected outcome will be a patentable lead series or a fixed-dose combo, a tropical Target Product Profile, and an ACTD-formatted preclinical package ready for NPRA/ASEAN reliance.

The ideal candidates should preferably meet the following criteria:

1. Prefer Malaysian or Australian citizen.

2. Degree in fields e.g. Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Science, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology and related areas

3. Research Skills & Experience (Preferred):

a. Familiarity with cell culture and molecular biology techniques;

b. Experience with biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, formulation science and willingness to learn machine learning/ metabolomic analysis tools;

c. Experience with animal disease models, and animal handling skill are an advantage;

4. Highly motivated, independent, and able to work in a multidisciplinary team.

5. Willing to contribute to publication, conference presentations, and grant applications.

For enquiries, please contact Dr Nicholas Khong

For more information about this project, please visit our GEMS website.

How to Apply

It is suggested that you first contact the main supervisor and provide them with your academic background and achievements to determine whether you are a 'fit' for this GEMS research topic. If you feel you are a 'fit', please click here to complete an Expression of Interest, including your research proposal relevant to this GEMS project. Your EoI will be assessed and if you are eligible, you will be invited to apply for PhD candidature and may be selected to interview for the GEMS scholarship. Interviews are likely to take place in March 2026 with successful applicants notified shortly afterwards.

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Nicholas Khong

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Ng Jia Hui, Assoc. Prof. Anton Dolzhenko, Assoc.Prof. Joash Tan Bee Lee, Assoc. Prof. Celine Liew

Associate Supervisor (Australia): Assoc. Professor Joshua Ooi

Submit your application now

Project 2 (School of Pharmacy)

Mechanism of action (MOA) and pharmacodynamic biomarker identification for cutaneous lupus-nephritis therapy

This study aims to establish the biochemical/immune pharmacodynamic (PD) backbone for IL-17 inhibitor small molecules that target the lupus skin–kidney–infection axis. By clarifying the MOA, we will support rational development of novel and repurposed IL-17 inhibitors. The work will develop and validate PD assays focussing on NETosis (PAD4 activity, cfDNA/MPO complexes) and neurometabolic itch pathways (P2X3/ TRPA1 currents; autotaxin–LPA; KMO–kynurenine). Using advanced chemoproteomic platforms, CETSA/ TPP and phospho-flow), the work will confirm MoA of lead candidates and benchmark them against selected repurposed drugs. The expected outcomes include qualified PD biomarkers linked to disease activity, a surrogate endpoint pack (itch scores, sleep metrics, serum pruritogens) reflecting patient quality of life, and a bioanalytical dossier pre-aligned with ACTD to support regulatory translation.

1. Prefer Malaysian or Australian citizen.

3. Research Skills & Experience (Preferred):

For enquiries, please contact Professor Paul Ho

How to Apply

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Professor Paul Ho

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Assoc. Prof. Ng Khuen Yen, Dr Nicholas Khong, Dr Jasmine Chia

Submit your application now

Project 3 (S chool of Pharmacy)

Quality-by-design processing of climate-resilient medical dosage forms for lupus itch & flares

This study converts repurposed/ model actives into room-temperature, low-infrastructure dosage forms. The work will (i) establish QbD design spaces for potential dosage forms such as mini-tablets, orodispersive film (ODF)s and a non-steroidal topical (gel/foam) optimised for Zone IVb; (ii) build IVIVC to predict exposure; (iii) engineer humidity-robust primary packaging; and (iv) pilot continuous manufacturing with in-line PAT to GMP-transfer readiness. Expected outcome will be manufacture-ready CMC dossiers (stability, packaging, process) for ACTD submission, and cost-of-goods models, independent of the exact molecule via use of model actives during early engineering.

1. Prefer Malaysian or Australian citizen.

3. Research Skills & Experience (Preferred):

For enquiries, please contact Dr Nicholas Khong

How to Apply

Main Supervisor (Malaysia): Dr Nicholas Khong

Associate Supervisor (Malaysia): Assoc. Prof. Celine Liew, Prof Paul Ho, Dr Teoh Xin Yi, Dr Usha Sundralingam, Prof Uma Palanisamy

Submit your application now

The above projects are open for application until 13 February 2026.