UNESA Professor Conducts Clinical Trials for Nanogold-Based Cough Medicine, Ready to Apply for BPOM Approval
As 2026 approaches, post-pandemic public health issues are growing increasingly complex. Significant weather changes and long-term health effects are making respiratory ailments such as flu, cough, and cold more severe than in previous periods. This phenomenon is driving the emergence of more precise and effective medical innovations.
Researchers from Surabaya State University (UNESA) are addressing this challenge through the development of a nanogold-based cough medicine. The innovation was presented during clinical trials held at Al Ashriyyah Nurul Iman Islamic Boarding School in Parung, Bogor, West Java, on Friday, 29 May 2026.
The lead researcher and Professor of Chemistry at UNESA’s Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Prof. Dr. Titik Taufikurohmah, S.Si., M.Si., explained that the research is driven by real public needs. Many citizens report prolonged throat pain and coughs that are harder to treat with conventional medicines.
This condition not only affects physical health but also impacts work productivity and daily activities. Prof. Titik noted that the effectiveness of existing cough medicines is declining for some patients, necessitating new approaches such as nanogold utilization.
The core of this innovation lies in using nanogold as a drug delivery system to transport active compounds. During treatment, active ingredients must reach receptors in the body to be effective, but this process is often hindered by factors such as drug size, polarity, and the body’s physicochemical properties.
Nanogold reduces or eliminates these barriers. Due to its extremely small particle size, it ensures active compounds reach receptors more efficiently and quickly, potentially accelerating recovery.
A key advantage of Prof. Titik and her team’s discovery is enhanced efficacy without increasing chemical dosage. Prof. Titik stressed that arbitrarily raising drug doses is unwise, as it may increase side effects for users.
“With the same drug concentration, effectiveness can be multiplied. It is also possible to reduce the dosage while maintaining or even increasing efficacy. This is the advantage of our discovery,” Prof. Titik told clinical trial participants.
The research project is designed to last two years, targeting Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 to 9. In the first year, outputs focus on securing patents and refining the drug delivery prototype.
In the second year, research will focus on generating comprehensive clinical trial data required for BPOM marketing authorization. With industrial partners such as CV. Tristars Chemicals, the product is expected to be widely marketed once all regulatory steps are completed.
This development is expected to meet future public demand for more effective cough treatments while demonstrating the crucial role of universities in creating health innovations that directly benefit society.
Nanogold technology in cough medicine involves using nano-sized gold particles as a drug delivery agent to ensure active compounds reach target receptors in the body more effectively.
The nanogold-based cough medicine is currently in clinical trials and BPOM marketing authorization process. The product is projected to be widely available once all regulatory steps are completed in the second year of research.
The combination of extreme weather changes and long-term respiratory effects (long covid) is causing cough symptoms to persist longer, necessitating advanced drug delivery medical treatments.