IMU University once again proudly participated in the International Invention, Innovation, and Technology Exhibition (ITEX) held on 29-30 May 2025 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC). ITEX is an esteemed annual event that showcases the most outstanding inventions and innovations from Asia and beyond. It serves as a vital platform for introducing groundbreaking technologies, attracting investment, fostering manufacturing opportunities, and facilitating commercialisation partnerships. This year, ITEX featured over 400 inventions from more than 20 countries, drawing local and international inventors, research scientists, institutions, young inventors, and corporations. The two-day exhibition presented a diverse and impressive display of cutting-edge technology and innovation.

IMU’s participation was expertly coordinated by Fatimah binti Muhammad, Business Operation Lead at the Institute for Research, Development, and Innovation (IRDI). The team received unwavering support from Prof Datuk Dr Lokman Hakim Sulaiman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) and Director of IRDI, along with Prof Wong Shew Fung, Deputy Director of Research, and A/Prof Teguh Haryo Sasongko, Deputy Director of Commercialisation and Support.

During the exhibition, the IMU booth was honoured with visits from Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, Vice-Chancellor and CEO of IMU University, and Prof Dr Gerard George, IMU’s Group Managing Director. Their expert guidance and inspiring words motivated the team throughout the event. The Industry Partnership and Engagement Department (IPE) also provided invaluable support, with Mr Mohammad Ridzuan Repin contributing industrial insights and Mr Devandran Krishnan meticulously reviewing presentation materials to ensure a competitive edge.

For the 2025 ITEX sessions, a total of 6 new fresh inventions from IMU inventors  joined the exhibition as well as the competition. IMU team have managed to secure 3 gold medals and 3 silver medals. This mark a proud moment for IMU as some of the inventors were new to the competition.

This year, A/Prof Dr Lee Choy Sin (School of Pharmacy) and her team won a gold medal for their newly develop invention “OLEONIPUA – Smart, Sustainable, & Multi-Responsive Non-Isocyanate Polyurethane-Acrylate”. This invention represents a groundbreaking advancement in sustainable polymer technology which derived from renewable vegetable oils like palm olein and sunflower oils.

This innovation helps to eliminates harmful isocyanates, setting a new standard for eco-friendly polyurethane production. Its bi-catalytic system enables solventless, low-pressure synthesis, resulting in polymers with enhanced functionality, including UV and thermal-triggered cross-linking and pH responsiveness. This innovative material can be employed by various industries, including pharmaceuticals, medical devices, thermoplastic, rubber and sustainable packaging.

Another gold medallist team is led by A/Prof Dr Umer Daood from the School of Dentistry for their invention on “From Concept to Clinic: Breaking Boundaries and Unveiling the Innovative Future of Antimicrobial 3D-Printed Titanium Constructs”. The latest innovation in this field is initiated together with co-inventor Dr Zeeshan Sheikh from Dalhousie University and involved integration of a 3D-printed titanium metallic biomaterial, engineered for both strength and biocompatibility, synergised with a novel patentable graphene oxide-based drug.

This hybrid material, prepared and designed totally in IMU, not only provides structural support but also acts as a bioactive platform to promote new bone formation. A key breakthrough lies in the incorporation of a novel peptide coating-dubbed the “God Molecule”-which amplifies the biological performance of the scaffold. This multifunctional invention demonstrates remarkable potential in enhancing new bone formation, accelerating healing, and reducing infection risks. The novel drug’s new unique surface chemistry, combined with the regenerative signals creates a microenvironment ideal for tissue repair and regeneration and a profound impact on hospital healthcare and surgical procedures.

Together, this groundbreaking convergence of 3D printing and bioactive material science represents a paradigm shift in healthcare. By pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in bone regeneration and personalised medicine at IMU University, this innovation paves the way for safer, faster, and more effective reconstructive outcomes-transforming the lives of patients facing devastating maxillofacial defects.

A/Prof Dr Sow Chew Fei and team (CSSC/T&L) was one of the new invertors that took part in the ITEX2025. For their first appearance, the team have scored a solid gold for their invention, called “Innovating Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Education: Enhancing Practical Skills with Virtual Reality”. VR-CPR is a next-generation Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training system that combines immersive virtual reality with tactile feedback through task trainer manikins.

The system stimulates realistic emergency scenarios, enabling students to perform CPR in a 360° virtual environment using hand-tracking and gesture-recognition technology. This innovation supports step-by-step guidance, environmental cues, and real-time interaction, offering a holistic and engaging learning experience. The innovation has caught many eyes in the exhibition with many of the visitors waiting eagerly to try the prototype.

Three other innovators have secured silver medals for this year ITEX2025 in their very first participations. The first innovation is from Prof Dr Mohd Zulkefeli Bin Mat Jusoh and team from the School of Pharmacy with their innovation “RuLink – Fast, Safe, and Scalable Conjugation for the Future of Drug Discovery”. This innovation introduces a simplified benchtop method to conjugate Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes to arginine-trytophan (RW) peptides using a solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPSS) approach. By integrating 6-aminohexanoic acid (AHX) as a linker, this process forms stable amide bonds without the need for complex or hazardous reagents like thionyl chloride or inert gas setups, enabling quick conjugation with higher yields and minimal side products.

The second silver medallist goes to A/Prof Dr Thiruselvi A/P Subramaniam and team from the School of Medicine with their innovation “Revolutionary Operating Theatre: Digital Technology to Enhance Medical Education”.  The team have developed a technology that blends web-based learning, 3D modelling, and mixed reality to provide an immersive and interactive learning experience. By stimulating the real-world OT environments, it prepares students for the complexities of surgical settings, including crisis management and teamwork under stress. The innovation also was a hit as it attracted many visitors that line up to try the prototype.

Last but not the least, Dr Minati Choudhury (School of Dentistry) have secured the third silver medal through her innovation “Gold Nanoparticles: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Oral Mucositis”. The invention was made based on the increase side effects of radiation and chemotherapy in up to 80% of cancer patients with no approved treatment to date. The invention uses ultra-small gold nanoparticles capped with an antioxidant to prevent and manage inflammation and infection associated with oral mucositis. Despite being in progress, Dr Minati Choudhury managed to prove the significant of the study with remarkable results that secured her innovation for a silver medal.

The achievements by IMU’s innovators in ITEX2025 has propelled IMU University to the forefront of innovation and research excellence in Malaysia and beyond. This aligns perfectly with our aspiration to achieve a global top 500 ranking by 2028. Congratulations to all the winners! Your success serves as an inspiration to the entire IMU community.

Let’s embark on a journey of discovery, where each research endeavour becomes a stepping stone toward meaningful impact. Together, we can pioneer change, advance knowledge, and shape a better future.

IMU University will continue to participate in other competitions and prepare for future events, driving us all towards greater heights. Let’s strive for excellence and make our mark on the world!