Research Pick: Pharmacy 2025

INTRODUCTION

The selection of an appropriate research topic is a fundamental pillar in conducting high-quality scientific inquiry. In the field of pharmacy, the rapid advancement of science and technology demands a more focused, data-driven, and context-aware approach in addressing global health challenges. Therefore, a systematic strategy is needed to identify research opportunities that not only follow emerging trends but also reflect scientific relevance and long-term impact.

Research Pick Pharmacy 2025 is introduced as an initiative to facilitate the exploration of research topics through evidence-based approaches and scientific mapping. This publication is not intended as a definitive or final list, but rather as an initial roadmap to broaden perspectives on viable directions for further research development.

This initiative is designed with the spirit of supporting the academic community in addressing a critical question: “Where should pharmaceutical research be headed, and how can we strategically contribute to it?” In this way, Research Pick is expected to serve as a starting point for proposal formulation, thesis development, or the pursuit of novelty in scientific publications.

GOOGLE TRENDS

We used Google Trends as a starting point to formulate the direction of research by first identifying relevant and strategic keywords. To obtain keywords that reflect the latest research trends, we analyzed those most frequently used by the academic community over the past five years. This identification process began with mapping reputable scientific journals that serve as primary platforms for researchers to publish their work.

Journal selection was based on their level of exposure and popularity, measured through search trends on Google Trends within the past five years. As a commitment to scientific quality standards, only journals indexed in the Scopus database with a minimum classification of Quartile 2 (Q2) were included. Journals ranked below this category were excluded, regardless of their publication volume, to ensure that the research direction taken is not merely driven by quantitative trends but is also supported by credible and scientifically accountable academic sources.

Based on the analysis of Google Trends data over the past five years, a consistent and structured hierarchy of global search interest can be observed among pharmaceutical journals. The Journal of Medicinal Chemistry ranks significantly at the top in terms of search volume, most likely due to its crucial role in drug discovery and its well-established reputation within the scientific community. Following closely, Pharmacology and Therapeutics and the Journal of Controlled Release show relatively high and stable levels of interest, reflecting the strong relevance of pharmacology and drug delivery technologies in modern pharmaceutical research.

In contrast, the British Journal of Pharmacology and the Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis show lower search volumes. This may be attributed to their narrower subdisciplinary focus and possibly less familiar journal names in global online searches. It is important to note that the data reflect digital visibility and popularity, and do not serve as direct indicators of scientific quality or impact. In this context, all five journals maintain high academic reputations and make significant contributions within their respective fields.

VOS VIEWER

After identifying popular journals through Google Trends, the next step was to access each journal's official website to review publications from the past year. From these publications, we collected and analyzed the keywords used, then identified the five most frequently occurring keywords on average. These keywords were subsequently used as the basis for literature searches using the Harzing’s Publish or Perish software, covering data from the past five years. All retrieved data were saved in a format compatible with reference management software.

The following step involved importing the collected data into VOSviewer for further analysis, particularly for bibliometric mapping and the visualization of keyword networks, author collaborations, and research topic trends.

Based on bibliometric analysis using VOSviewer, the direction of research development in the pharmaceutical field shows a progressive shift toward a synergy between advanced computational technologies, molecular biology, and chemical innovation. This evolution aims to address increasingly complex therapeutic challenges with greater efficiency. In particular, future research trends in this field are expected to be dominated by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming from a mere supporting tool into a central engine for de novo drug molecule design, prediction of pharmacokinetic properties and optimal synthesis pathways, and identification of novel biological targets through large-scale genomic and proteomic data analysis.

The application of computational approaches is being directed toward tackling complex diseases, such as the development of highly precise cancer therapies, the discovery of new treatment mechanisms for Alzheimer’s disease, and the design of broad-spectrum antiviral platforms as part of pandemic preparedness strategies in the post-COVID era.

Furthermore, research is also increasingly focused on exploring “undruggable targets” through the development of innovative therapeutic modalities such as PROTACs (Proteolysis Targeting Chimeras) and RNA-based therapies. In addition, research on bioactive compounds from natural products continues to be pursued but is now modernized through genome mining approaches to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of drug discovery. These findings indicate that the future of pharmaceutical research will become increasingly interdisciplinary, precise, and technology-driven, aligning with global demands for faster, more accurate, and personalized therapeutic solutions.

The results of the bibliometric visualization analysis using VOSviewer clearly indicate that the intellectual core and central gravitational point of this field rest on three interrelated key concepts: drug, medicinal chemistry, and drug design. These three elements form the primary conceptual foundation and serve as the main focal point in the research landscape.

Surrounding this core, several supporting thematic areas play essential roles. These include compound synthesis processes, molecular structure analysis, and the identification of biological targets, where active compounds are specifically designed to act as inhibitors against defined targets.

The ultimate goal is to produce effective treatments for a range of diseases, including complex conditions such as COVID-19 and Alzheimer’s disease. In parallel, the effectiveness and mechanisms of action of these therapeutic molecules are thoroughly examined through pharmacology, with a focus on analyzing the mechanism and action of the drugs involved.

On the periphery of the research network, emerging terms such as artificial intelligence signal the entry of disruptive technologies into the drug discovery process. Meanwhile, the appearance of terms like natural product highlights the continued importance of exploring compounds derived from natural sources. The presence of the term challenge represents the various obstacles that remain inherent in the complex and multidimensional process of drug discovery and development.

RESEARCH OUTLOOK

Based on our preliminary analysis, the future direction of pharmaceutical research is expected to move toward technology-driven efficiency, targeting of more complex diseases, and innovation at the molecular level.

The key research themes are as follows:

  1. Full Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), this includes de novo drug design using AI, computational prediction of toxicity and efficacy, and automated planning of chemical synthesis. This trend is reflected by the prominent appearance of the term "artificial intelligence" in the research map.
  2. Focus on High-Priority Diseases, research is increasingly geared toward developing more precise therapies for cancer, discovering new treatment mechanisms for Alzheimer’s disease, and creating broad-spectrum antivirals as part of future pandemic preparedness, driven by past experiences with COVID-19 and SARS-CoV.
  3. Conquering “Undruggable” Biological Targets, research will go beyond conventional inhibitors, focusing on the development of new therapeutic modalities such as PROTACs (protein degraders), RNA-based drugs, and small molecules capable of disrupting protein–protein interactions, which have historically been considered extremely challenging.
  4. Modernizing Natural Product Discovery, using genomics and bioinformatics to "mine" microorganisms or plants for novel compounds (genome mining), representing an evolution from classical natural product approaches. This is indicated by the presence of the node "natural product" in the analysis.
  5. Revolution in Chemical Synthesis, addressing the challenges in building complex molecules more rapidly and cost-effectively through the development of automated synthesis platforms (robotics) and more efficient chemical methods.

RESEARCH GAP

The primary research gap we identified lies in the integration of emerging technologies into practical applications and the strengthening of connections between distinct research clusters. More specifically, although Artificial Intelligence (AI) is widely recognized as a major advancement, there remains a gap in its direct application for designing drug candidates targeting specific diseases such as Alzheimer’s or SARS-CoV, particularly in later stages of optimization rather than just early discovery.

In addition, there is significant untapped potential in modernizing natural product research by combining it with advanced computational methods and AI to accelerate the identification of novel active compounds. At its core, the most critical gap is the weak linkage between methodological research (how to discover drugs) and applied research (what diseases the drugs are for). Therefore, studies that explicitly bridge the development of new methods with solutions to real-world clinical challenges represent a highly promising area for future exploration.

RESEARCH PICK

  1. De Novo Molecular Design Based on Generative Artificial Intelligence for the Discovery of Allosteric Modulators of Tau Protein Aggregation as a Precision Therapy for Alzheimer’s Disease

  2. Integration of Deep Learning Models and Automated Synthesis Platforms to Accelerate the Discovery of Next-Generation PROTACs Selectively Targeting the c-Myc Transcription Factor

  3. Design and Application of Photocaged Ligands for Spatiotemporal Modulation of NMDA Receptors as Tools to Investigate Learning and Memory Processes

  4. Characterization of Selective Allosteric Inhibitors of PFKFB3 Using a Cell-Based Screening Platform Integrated with Machine Learning

  5. Design of Colon-Selective Prodrug Inhibitors Targeting Microbial Enzymes to Modulate the Kynurenine Pathway in Depression

  6. Development of Reversible Covalent Fragment-Based Ligands to Stabilize the p53-MDM2 Tumor Suppressor Complex for Cancer Therapy

  7. Identification of Novel Senolytics Through High-Resolution Imaging-Based Phenotypic Screening and Mechanistic Deconvolution Using Convolutional Neural Networks

  8. Isolation, Structural Elucidation, and Enzyme Inhibition Studies of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) In Vitro and In Silico

  9. Synergistic Activity of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Beluntas Leaves (Pluchea indica) with Amoxicillin Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Mechanistic Study as an Efflux Pump Inhibitor

  10. Enhancing Dissolution Rate and Anticancer Activity of Curcumin Through Cocrystallization with Ferulic Acid: Synthesis, Physicochemical Characterization, and In Vitro Cytotoxicity Study

  11. Development of a Gold Nanoparticle-Based Paper Biosensor for Colorimetric Detection of Uric Acid as a Rapid Diagnostic Tool for Hyperuricemia

  12. Fabrication of Biomimetic Anti-Biofilm Surfaces: Covalent Immobilization of Bromopyrrole Compounds from Aplysina sp. Sponge on Silicone Catheter Surfaces to Prevent Nosocomial Infections

  13. Synthesis of Sex Pheromone Analogs with Oxygen Bridge (Oxetane) Modification to Improve Stability and Activity as Attractants for Fall Armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

  14. Activation of Nrf2 Pathway by Anthocyanin Glycosides from Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea) as a Chemoprotective Mechanism Against UV-B-Induced Oxidative Stress in Human Keratinocytes

  15. Development of Cancer Prodrugs Activated by P-Glycoprotein Transport Mechanisms as a Radical Strategy to Overcome Multidrug Resistance (MDR)

  16. Rational Design of Chiral Coformers Based on Amino Acids for Enantiomeric Separation of Racemic Drugs and Its Implications in Large-Scale Pharmaceutical Production

  17. Development of Programmable Hybrid Polymer Matrix Systems for Time-Lagged Drug Delivery Synchronized with Circadian Rhythms in Nocturnal Hypertension Therapy

  18. Design and Evaluation of Mitochondriotropic Conjugates with ROS-Degradable Linkers for Targeted Delivery to Combat Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress in Neurodegenerative Diseases

  19. Rational Design of “Anti-Nucleation” Excipients Based on Hydrogen Bonding Interactions for Physical Stabilization of Poorly Soluble Drugs

  20. Development of FRET/FLIM-Based Pharmacological Probes to Map Ligand Binding on GPCRs in Real-Time

  21. Development of Polymer-Hydrogel Ink for 3D Printing of Multi-Drug Polypills with Programmed Release Profiles

  22. Mapping the Liver Protein Adductome as a Biomarker for Immunogenic Damage Induced by Reactive Drug Metabolites

  23. Biophysical Mechanism Study of Reversible Lipid ‘Melting’ in the Stratum Corneum for Macromolecule Delivery

  24. Elucidation of Novel Protein Degradation Mechanisms by Marine Alkaloids from Indonesian Sponges as the Basis for Precision Oncology Therapy

  25. Development of a Self-Amplifying mRNA Pan-Serotype Dengue Vaccine Platform Using Endogenous Lipid Nanoparticle Formulation

  26. Identification and Mechanistic Characterization of Bioactive Compounds from Centella asiatica That Induce Homing and Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells for Regenerative Therapy

  27. De-Orphanization of the Anticancer Mechanism of Lissoclibadin Compounds from Indonesian Marine Tunicates Using 3D Tumoroid Models and High-Resolution Phenotypic Imaging

  28. Elucidation of Synergistic Immunomodulatory Mechanisms of Traditional Herbal Formulations Through Interactions with Host Metabolome and Gut Microbiota

  29. Engineering of Thalassemia-Resistant Hematopoietic Stem Cells Using CRISPR-Cas9 for Autologous Transplantation Therapy in Indonesia

  30. Activation of Silent Biosynthetic Gene Clusters to Unlock New Classes of Antibiotics via Co-Culture of Symbiotic Microorganisms from Various Indonesian Marine Sponges