USM PENANG, 2 June 2025 – The Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Centre for Drug Research (CDR) recently sent a delegation of researchers for a working visit to the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), Thailand to explore institutional collaboration in kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) research and academic development.

The visit on 15–16 May 2025 focused on strategic discussions to strengthen bilateral cooperation on kratom-related initiatives, including joint research, student exchanges, and the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The CDR delegation comprised of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zurina Hassan, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darshan Singh, and Dr. Nelson Chear Jeng Yeou. The PSU team was represented by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juraithip Wungsintaweekul; the Dean, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nimit Worakul, and other senior academic staff.

A highlight of the programme was a guest lecture by Dr. Nelson Chear titled "Kratom Chemistry: What We Know So Far and What’s Next,” delivered to an audience of over 20 students and staff from PSU and the Phytomedicine & Pharmaceutical Biology Research Center. The lecture addressed ongoing efforts in alkaloid standardisation and kratom quality control to support safe medicinal applications.

The itinerary included visits to kratom research laboratories at PSU and its Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)-certified kratom plantation. These sessions facilitated exchanges on phytochemical profiling, bioactivity screening, biosynthetic pathway mapping, and standardised cultivation techniques.

Together, they provided a comprehensive overview of the PSU kratom research ecosystem and reinforced Malaysia’s integrative research model that bridges scientific, public health, and regulatory domains.

This approach aligns with CDR’s commitment to high-quality, science-based natural product development.

Dr. Juraithip highlighted the collaboration's strategic value, particularly in establishing validated protocols for alkaloid profiling, and noted its potential in advancing Southeast Asia’s leadership in kratom science. 

Both institutions expressed mutual commitment to sustained engagement, with PSU extending an invitation for a follow-up visit by CDR in August 2025 to formalise collaborative frameworks.

This initiative is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), reflecting the shared objective of enhancing global health through structured academic cooperation.

Text and Photos: Centre for Drug Research, USM