R&D Team
Dr. Amr Helal
Dr. Amr Helal: Professor of Pharmacognosy from Cairo University, who earned a Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical Sciences specializing in natural product chemistry from the University of Toyama, Japan. His illustrious career includes leading environmentally conscious projects on rice residue utilization, demonstrating a keen focus on sustainable scientific practice. With past experience as a driving force at the Chamber of Industry, he infuses our R&D pursuits with invaluable industry-relevant insight. Our R&D section is a testament to his contribution to pioneering research that bridges the gap between traditional pharmacognosy and contemporary sustainability.
Dr. Meselhy Ragab
Dr. Meselhy Ragab: professor from Cairo University, backed by a rich academic path with a Ph.D. from the University of Toyama, Japan, in the specialized field of natural products chemistry. Coupled with their tenure as an Egyptian cultural counselor in Japan and a position on the Egyptian Drug Authority board, their expertise is set to catapult our natural pharmaceutical innovations to new heights. Their contribution to our team promises to infuse our research with unparalleled knowledge and globally-informed insight.
Dr. Maged El Sherbiny
Dr. Maged El Sherbiny: With a profound background in immunology from Cairo University and a Ph.D. focusing on vaccines and diagnostics of infectious diseases. His expertise has been shaped by his role as a Senior Advisor for Direct Aid International in Kuwait and his experience in the Egyptian government as Vice Minister for Scientific Research and Technology and Secretary General for the Higher Council of Science and Technology. His significant contributions to both public health and scientific policy enrich our ability to develop innovative health solutions.
Dr. Maged Khalifa
Dr. Maged El Sherbiny: With a profound background in immunology from Cairo University and a Ph.D. focusing on vaccines and diagnostics of infectious diseases. His expertise has been shaped by his role as a Senior Advisor for Direct Aid International in Kuwait and his experience in the Egyptian government as Vice Minister for Scientific Research and Technology and Secretary General for the Higher Council of Science and Technology. His significant contributions to both public health and scientific policy enrich our ability to develop innovative health solutions.
Our R&D Mission
Within the past seven years, Healthtech has led a number of R&D projects with the aim of developing innovative products that improve the wellness of human beings. The projects’ activities range from food to pharmaceutical activities.
A number of national and international partners were involved in our projects, and have provided funds exceeding LE 50 M, with funding mainly from National and EU funding programs.
Healthtech is proud to have published in a number of papers, as well as winning a number of national and international innovation awards.
Research Projects
A- Healthy Aging: Nutraceutical and supplements projects
Healthy aging in general and brain healthy aging in specific, are both major health issues in the last decades and are associated with increase in the population average life span.
Within the past seven years, a number of projects were run to develop Rice Bran Nutraceuticals (Novel Ingredients in Brain Health Aiming to Target the 36 Million Cases of Dementia Globally https://www.euromonitor.com/article/novel-ingredients-in-brain-health-aiming-to-target-the-36-million-cases-of-dementia-globally).
• Rice Bran Nutraceuticals (with a Euro 250 K, EU fund)
• Rice Bran Extraction (with a Euro 104K, Eu fund).
• Rice Bran Chewable Tablets (LE 800 K, ASRT- Egypt).
• Rice Bran innovative value added ingredients (LE 1.25 M, ASRT – Egypt).
These projects were run in cooperation with a number of research institutes in Egypt and Europe (Click here to visit Healthtech’s success partners).
Four products were developed, with more than 15 international publications, 6 PH.D and M.SC thesis that were accomplished within this activity.
Four innovation awards were granted to rice bran products developments (2 from Switzerland and 2 from Egypt).
B- Healthy living: Innovation in food fortifications
Malnutrition in general, stunting, wasting and anaemia, are major illnesses in Egypt and in the world. The latter affect the patients’ general health in the present and future as well as impacting country’s economy.
Research has shown that one of the major reasons for the above illnesses is the deficiency in micronutrients.
Within the past five years, Healthtech has led multiple ambitious projects to develop food products developed with fortification (with essential vitamins and minerals). These products range from plain biscuits, date bar biscuits, coconut bars, wafer bars and much more. (Click here to visit Healthtech fortified food products range).
C- Innovation in functional food development
– Functional foods are ingredients that offer health benefits that extend beyond their nutritional value.
– Immuno-supplements based on use of specially prepared nano creamers from flaxseed oil, black seed oil and wheat germ oils (LE 550, MEK – Egypt).
– Immuno supplements protein bars enriched with nano formulations of immunity boosting oils.
– Lozenges that help in the protection from COVID-19; nano formulation of essential oils peppermint, lemon grass, thyme and eucalyptus. (LE 1 M, ASRT – Egypt)
– Rice Bran bakery products to support healthy aging (LE 1 M, IMC – Egypt).
D- Academia- Industry – Knowledge transfer in the pharmaceutical sector
A new cluster was developed to foster cooperation and knowledge transfer between the Egyptian pharmaceutical think tanks and industries.
More than 12 products were developed and registered. These include tablets, capsules, sachets, cosmeceuticals creams and gels. (Integrated Pharmaceutical Alliance LE 10 M – ASRT- Egypt)