Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU), in partnership with the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), officially launched the Local Intellectual Property-Based Skin Health and Personal Care Technology Innovation Cluster (LIPSHTIC) at NASREC during South Africa Innovation Week. The milestone event followed the signing of a formal funding agreement between Professor Tandi Matsha-Erasmus, Vice-Chancellor of SMU, and Ismail Abdoola, Acting CEO of TIA, creating a national platform dedicated to translating publicly funded research into commercially viable solutions.
LIPSHTIC aims to transform intellectual property (IP) from publicly funded research into safe, effective, and market-ready skin health and personal care products. Anchored at SMU, the cluster brings together universities, industry, and government to address pressing health challenges, promote local innovation, and create economic opportunities for small businesses.
A highlight of the launch was a panel discussion featuring industry leaders on commercialisation, technology transfer, and inclusive innovation. Representing SMU, Dr Vuyisile Thibane, co-project leader of LIPSHTIC, outlined the university’s role in guiding and overseeing the initiative.
The event also showcased three SMU patent holders: Emmanuel Kiyonga, Nondumiso Nkosi, and Thabo Lesiba Lekgoathi. Kiyonga’s drug, Raloxifene Hydrochloride Hydrate Solvate, offers promising treatments for postmenopausal osteoporosis and breast cancer. Nkosi developed an innovative diagnostic assay for Hepatitis B, while Lekgoathi filed a provisional patent for a novel medicinal plant compound with activity against respiratory diseases, including COVID-19. Their presence highlighted SMU’s culture of innovation, though they did not participate on the panel.
Vuyisile Hobololo, TIA Head of Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Bio-innovations Development and Commercialisation, emphasised the strategic value of LIPSHTIC: “LIPSHTIC is a model for how indigenous knowledge and publicly funded research can be converted into products that address real health challenges while creating economic opportunities for local innovators,” he said.
The cluster’s strength lies in its collaborative network. Industry partners, including AMKA Products, Prime Product Manufacturing, and Zuplex Botanicals, provide formulation expertise, product testing, and market access. Research support comes from institutions such as the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and tech stations like InnoVenton at Nelson Mandela University, alongside SMU’s Schools of Pharmacy and Health Care Sciences, ensuring rigorous development and technology transfer.
In its first phase, LIPSHTIC will advance around 25 priority IP assets identified in the September 2025 IP Call Survey Report. Each asset will undergo optimisation, formulation refinement, and validation to meet regulatory and market standards. Licensing and technology transfer agreements will ensure that SMMEs and local innovators benefit directly, promoting inclusive growth in South Africa’s skin health sector.
The cluster’s deliverables include optimised prototypes, technical dossiers, regulatory compliance documentation, and capacity-building initiatives to support emerging enterprises. SMU’s Technology Transfer Office (TTO) continues to play a pivotal role in converting research into commercial products.
First-year student and aspiring biotechnologist, Lerato Mthethwa, attended the launch and expressed excitement: “This initiative shows me that innovation isn’t just in the lab—it’s about making real impact in our communities. SMU is giving us the tools to turn ideas into solutions that matter,” she said.
By combining scientific expertise, industry knowledge, and community engagement, LIPSHTIC demonstrates the power of universities as catalysts for economic and social impact. Its launch during Innovation Week signals a new era of collaborative research, positioning South Africa as a global contender in skin health and personal care technologies, while fostering entrepreneurship, job creation, and sustainable development.
SMU continues to cement its reputation as a university that drives academic excellence, research innovation, and tangible societal benefits. Through initiatives like LIPSHTIC, the institution ensures that its work not only advances science but also creates meaningful opportunities for local communities and innovators alike.
By Dimakatso Modise
