M2Bio Sciences Establishes Research Chair At The University Of Pretoria For Phytomedicines
M2Bio Sciences Establishes Research Chair At The University Of Pretoria For Phytomedicines. M2Bio Sciences is delighted to announce it has signed an agreement with the University of Pretoria/Universiteit van Pretoria and Enterprises University of Pretoria to continue research into Plant Medicines, and the application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to drug discovery and forensic science.
The agreement was cemented with the official signing ceremony on the 12th of May 2023 between Prof Barend Erasmus, Dean of the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Mr. Jeff Robinson, CEO and Chairman of M2Bio Sciences, and Dr. Elmar de Wet, CEO, Enterprises University of Pretoria. The UP Biodiscovery Centre, led by Prof Vinesh Maharaj, NAS Deputy Dean for Research and Postgraduate Education and a renowned bio-prospector, will conduct commercial natural product research and development. The M2Bio Sciences Research Chair will conduct research focused on science and evidence-backed premium health and wellness products over the next four years.
An integral part of the research is to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to discover natural product lead compounds that can be developed as pharmaceutical and food ingredients. “We need to emphasize the value of AI in African research. It is important to digitize the great research and developments on the continent. Although I am not a scientist, I have an enormous passion for science, technology, and medicine and how they intersect,” Mr. Jeff Robinson, CEO of M2Bio Sciences stated.
In addition, Robinson believes very strongly that product development must be backed by evidence-based scientific research. “There is so much potential and talent in South Africa; I am wondering why there are not more companies cooperating with universities to do research,” said Mr. Robinson.
