Biography

Professor Aviva Chow received his Bachelor Degree in Chemical and Bioproduct Engineering from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and his PhD in Pharmacy from The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Prior to joining HKU, he served as Technical Lead at Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited. Professor Chow is internationally recognized for his contributions to inhaled and nose-to-brain therapies for respiratory and neurological diseases, nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems, and crystal engineering of pharmaceutical solids. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals in pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, and his research programme has attracted more than HKD 20 million in funding from various sources. In addition, he serves as Project Leader at the Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre under the Hong Kong Government’s InnoHK programme and is co-founder of Inhalixir Limited and CereThera Limited. His recent honours include the Special Grand Prize and Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury at the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards, and inclusion in Stanford’s World’s Top 2% Scientists List.

Memberships & Editorships

• Member of American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS)
• Member of Controlled Release Society (CRS)

• Editorial Board Member, Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Review Editor, Respiratory Drug Delivery, Frontiers in Drug Delivery
• Review Editor, Solid State Chemistry, Frontiers in Chemistry

Honours and Awards

• Special Grand Prize – Prize of the Chinese Delegation and Gold Medal with Congratulations of the Jury, International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva (2026)
• Product Design of the Year and Gold Medal, WorldInvent Singapore (2026)
• Outstanding Contribution to Medical Health Education Award, Primary Care Education Foundation (2026)
• Grand Prize (Entrepreneurship) and First Prize (Start-up), 12th Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition (as Supervisor, 2026)
• Top 2% Scientists, Stanford’s 2025 World’s Top 2% Scientists List (2025)
• Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards, Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) and National Academy of Medicine (NAM) of the United States (2025)
• Winning and Top 10 Innovation Projects, HKUMedXeletrate, LKS Faculty of Medicine, HKU (2025)
• Platinum Medal Award & EUROINVENT Excellence in Innovation Award, PRIX EIFFEL (2024)
• Committee member, Committee on Research and Development of Chinese Medicines, Innovation and Technology Commission, HKSAR (2023-2025)
• Committee member, Pharmacy and Poisons (Manufacturers Licensing) Committee, Department of Health, HKSAR (2020-2025)
• Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, HKUST (2018-2020)
• Adjunct Assistant Professor, School of Pharmacy, CUHK (2015-2019)
• Eli Lilly & Company Travelship Award for AAPS Annual Meeting (2011)
• Pharmaceutical Society of Japan (PSJ) Travelship Award for AAPS Annual Meeting (2010)
• Visiting Research Scholar, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota (2009)

Currently, our research group has two specific research foci:

• Crystal/Cocrystal engineering of pharmaceutical solids
  - Design new crystalline forms of drugs with desired pharmaceutical properties
  - Rational development of novel cocrystal-based formulations for pulmonary, intranasal, and transdermal applications
  - Mechanistic understanding of cocrystal solution-state stability and its phase transformation

Figure 1: Controlled Thermal Annealing: Role of glass transition and its application for efficient cocrystal screening

Figure 2: Development of cocrystal-based dry powder formulations for pulmonary and intranasal applications (Wong et al., Int. J. Pharm., 2023 & 2024)

Figure 3: Design and synthesis of dissolving microneedles incorporating kopexil multicomponent crystals for transdermal applications (Deng et al., Drug Deliv. Transl. Res., 2026)

• Nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems for superior therapeutic outcomes
  - Engineering of orally/nasally inhalable drug nanoparticles for optimal pulmonary/nose-to brain delivery
  - Understanding the effects of particle size and surface properties on the safety and efficacy of drug nanoparticles
  - Design of novel theranostics for management of Alzheimer’s diseases

Figure 4: An integrated continuous manufacturing platform in producing dry powders for pulmonary/intranasal drug delivery. It consists of three core technologies, viz.,
(i) Flash nanoprecipitation; (ii) In-situ thermal gelation; and (iii) Spray drying.

Figure 5: Development of inhalable paclitaxel nanoagglomerate dry powders and its potential application for treatment of non-small cell lung cancer. (Chan et al., Int. J. Pharm., 2024 & 2026)

Figure 6: Development of fingolimod nano-embedded microparticles as nose-to-brain neuroprotective therapy for ischemic stroke. (Zhang et al., Drug Deliv. Transl. Res., 2025)

Publication Highlights and Selected Recent Publications:

Crystal/Cocrystal Engineering

• S.N. Wong, S.F. Chow*. “Pharmaceutical cocrystals beyond enteral drug delivery: from concept to translation”, J. Control. Release. (2026), 398, 115277.
• Y. Deng, S.N. Wong, W.C.N. Chan, X. Zhang, S.F. Chow*. Dissolving microneedles incorporating kopexil multicomponent crystals for improved transdermal delivery”, Drug Deliv. Transl. Res. (2026), 16, 3351-3357.
• M. Fu, Y. Deng, S.N. Wong, X. Zhang, K.H. Low, S.F. Chow*. “Rational design of dual drug fingolimod salts as carrier-free nasal powders for potential nose-to-brain delivery in multiple sclerosis” J. Drug Deliv. Sci. Technol. (2026), 122, 108365.
• S. Li, B. Xuan, S.N. Wong, H.W. Lee, K.H. Low*, S.F. Chow*. “Towards the discovery of unrevealed flufenamic acid cocrystals via structural resemblance for enhanced topical drug delivery”, Int. J. Pharm. (2025), 668, 124959.
• S.N. Wong, S. Li, K.H. Low, H.W. Chan, X. Zhang, S. Chow, B. Hui, P.C.Y. Chow, S.F. Chow*. “Development of favipiravir dry powders for intranasal delivery: An integrated cocrystal and particle engineering approach via spray freeze drying”, Int. J. Pharm. (2024), 653, 123896.
• S.N. Wong, K.H. Low, Y.L. Poon, X. Zhang, H.W. Chan, S.F. Chow* "Synthesis of the first remdesivir cocrystal: design, characterization, and therapeutic potential for pulmonary delivery”, Int. J. Pharm. (2023), 640, 122983.

Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery Systems:

• H.W. Chan, X. Zhang, J. Yu, S. Chow, H.H. Kwok, D.C.L. Lam, J.K.W. Lam, S.F. Chow*. “Nanoagglomerate-enabled inhaled paclitaxel nanoparticle delivery for lung cancer chemotherapy: Proof-of-concept biodistribution and efficacy studies in biorelevant in vitro and in vivo models”, Int. J. Pharm. (2026), 702, 127213.
• X. Zhang, H.W. Chan, Z. Shao, Q. Wang, S. Chow, S.F. Chow*. “Navigating translational research in nanomedicine: A strategic guide to formulation and manufacturing”, Int. J. Pharm. (2025), 671, 125202.
• X. Zhang, G. Su, Z. Shao, H.W. Chan, S. Li, S. Chow, C.K. Tsang, S.F. Chow*. “Rational development of fingolimod nano-embedded microparticles as nose-to-brain neuroprotective therapy for ischemic stroke”, Drug Deliv. Transl. Res. (2025), 15, 2022-2047.  
• H.W. Chan, X. Zhang, S. Chow, D.C.L. Lam, S.F. Chow*. “Inhalable paclitaxel nanoagglomerate dry powders for lung cancer chemotherapy: Design of experiments-guided development, characterization and in vitro evaluation”, Int. J. Pharm. (2024), 653, 123877.
• H.W. Chan, H.W. Lee, S. Chow, D.C.L. Lam, S.F. Chow*. “Integrated continuous manufacturing of inhalable remdesivir nanoagglomerate dry powders: design, optimization and therapeutic potential for respiratory viral infections”, Int. J. Pharm. (2023), 644, 123303.
• S.N. Wong, K.H. Low, Y.L. Poon, X. Zhang, H.W. Chan, S.F. Chow*. “Synthesis of the first remdesivir cocrystal: design, characterization, and therapeutic potential for pulmonary delivery”, Int. J. Pharm. (2023), 640, 122983.

For more details, please visit my Lab website, Scopus, and Google Scholar pages:
Lab Website: Home | Research Lab Achow
Scopus: scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=54996796900
Google Scholar: ‪Shing Fung CHOW, Aviva‬ - ‪Google Scholar‬‬‬

• S.F. Chow, K.H. Low, S.N. Wong. “Novel cocrystals of dexamethasone”, US non-provisional patent application, 18/307,992, and Chinese Invention Patent application: No. 202310597221.0 (2023).
• S.F. Chow, H.W. Chan, H.W. Lee. “Inhalable agglomerated nanoparticle dry powder pharmaceutical compositions, methods of making and use thereof”, US provisional patent application, 63/498,919 (2023).
• S.F. Chow, K.H. Low, S.N. Wong. “Remdesivir cocrystal, compositions and methods thereof”, US provisional patent application, 63/498,894 (2023).
• A.H.L. Chow, S.F. Chow, X.R. Zhang, K.Y. Wan, K.K. Cheng, L. Baum. “Engineering of polymer-stabilized nanoparticles for drugs with log p values below 6 by controlled antisolvent precipitation”, U.S. Patent, US10076496B2 (2018).

As PI / Co-PI :

• “Manufacturing inhalable dry powders of small molecules and biologics”, Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited, Health@InnoHK Programme, Innovation and Technology Commission (PI, 2026-2030, ongoing)
• Nose-to-Brain Delivery of Aβ-targeting Nanotheranostics for Early Intervention in Alzheimer’s Disease”, Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) (HLCA/M-707/25), RGC (PI, 2025-2026, ongoing)
• “Rational development of Angong Niuhuang Wan as nanoagglomerate nasal powders by nano-in-micro particle engineering for innovative first-aid ischemic stroke therapy”, ITSP Seed Projects (ITS/379/23), Innovation and Technology Commission (PI, 2025-2026, ongoing)
• “Nose-to-brain delivery of combined anti-amyloid-β and anti-tau targeted nanotherapy for Alzheimer’s disease: a pilot study”, Health Medical Research Fund (21223381), Health Bureau (PI, 2024-2026, completed)
• “Mild magnetic hyperthermia induced by smart amyloid-β peptide targeted nanoparticles: a pilot study for simultaneous diagnosis and therapy of Alzheimer's disease”, Health Medical Research Fund (09201366), Health Bureau (PI, 2022-2025, completed)
• “Feasibility of next-generation inhalable nanoagglomerated microparticles to improve the therapeutic outcomes of non-small cell lung cancer: A pilot study”, Health Medical Research Fund (08191956), Health Bureau (PI, 2021-2024, completed)
• “Encapsulating nano-amorphous drugs inside nano-porous media for pulmonary delivery”, Advanced Biomedical Instrumentation Centre Limited, Health@InnoHK Programme, Innovation and Technology Commission (PI, 2021-2025, completed)
• “腦靶向納米生物醫學技術遞送TERT抑製劑對腦缺血損傷的預防性神經保護”, 協同創新與平台環境建設國際科技合作領域 (2020A0505100045), 廣東省科學技術廳 (Co-PI, HKU-SIRI, 2020-2022, completed)
• “Nebulizing formulation development”, Sponsored Research by a private pharmaceutical company (PI, 2023-2024, completed)
• “Releasing profile of methylphenidate formulations”, Sponsored Research by a private pharmaceutical company (PI, 2020-2021, completed)
• A feasibility study for developing a spray-dried power formulation containing YQ23”, Sponsored Research by a private pharmaceutical company (PI, 2017-2018, completed)

As Co-I:

• Inhalable nanoagglomerated pemetrexed and curcumin dry powder for the treatment of lung cancer: a pilot study”, Health Medical Research Fund (21223401), Health Bureau (Co-I, 2024-2027, on-going)
• “Developing a Next-Generation Synbiotic for the Treatment of Metabolic Dysfunction Associated Fatty Liver Disease”, ITSP (Mid-stream, theme-based), Innovation and Technology Commission (Co-I, 2023-2026, on-going)
• “Integrated continuous manufacturing of an active pharmaceutical ingredient for asthma treatment”, Innovation and Technology Support Programme (ITS/137/16), Innovation and Technology Commission (Deputy Project Coordinator and Co-I, 2017-2019, completed)

Seeking PhD candidates and Post-doctoral Researchers

Our research group is looking for high-calibers graduate students and post-doctoral researchers interested in the research areas of crystal/cocrystal engineering and nanoparticle-based drug delivery systems.

Full-time postgraduate students are eligible to receive a Postgraduate Scholarship during the normative study period. Outstanding Ph.D. applicants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship scheme (HKPFS) (https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/index.html) and HKU Presidential Scholar Programme (HKU-PS) (https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/fees_scholarships_and_financial_support/hku_presidential_phd_scholar_programme). Each HKPFS holder/HKU Presidential PhD Scholar will receive a package of up to around HK$433,300 (US$55,560) in the first year, and up to around HK$413,300 (US$52,990) in each of the subsequent years during the normative study period.

Researchers with a PhD degree and strong research track record (e.g., publications, patents, international innovation awards) will be nominated by the PI for the RGC Postdoctoral Fellowship (https://www.ugc.edu.hk/eng/rgc/funding_opport/pdfs/index.html) or Jockey Club Global STEM Post-doctoral Fellowship for Translational Research and Application.

Our current research themes include:

• Cocrystal engineering of pharmaceutical solids
• Development of orally and nasally inhalable nanomedicines for pulmonary and nose-to-brain delivery
• Design of novel nanotheranostics for management of Alzheimer’s disease
• Translational research of Traditional Chinese Medicines beyond oral applications

For further information, please email Professor Aviva Chow with your up-to-date CV (asfchow@hku.hk).

Research Collaborators

• Prof. Calvin Changquan Sun, Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, U.S.
• Dr. Jenny Lam, School of Pharmacy, University College London, U.K.
• Dr. Philip Kwok, University of Sydney, Australia
• Prof. Richard Lakerveld, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong SAR, China
• Prof. Calvin Tsang, Clinical Neuroscience Institute, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
• Professor David Lam, Department of Medicine, HKU, HKSAR
• Professor Raymond Chang, School of Biomedical Sciences, HKU, HKSAR

Regular Student Consultation Hours

Office

2/F, 21 Sassoon Road, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, Laboratory Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, Hong Kong SAR, China

Professor Aviva Chow and his research team