Dr.
-founder
-Director & CHIEF SCIENTIFIC OFFICER
Richard Kao
Dr. Kao completed his Ph. D. in Microbiology at UBC in 1999, followed by postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School from 1999-2001. He joined the University of Hong Kong in 2001 and has been on the front line of infectious disease control and antimicrobials since then.
As a renowned pioneer in the field of antimicrobials, Dr. Kao already pictured an antibiotic-free world as early as 15 years ago. Apart from groundbreaking discoveries in combating SARS and influenza viruses, his achievements also included prestigious awards for oustanding scientific and technological innovations. In 2017, he was awarded the Innovation Academy Award from the International Consortium of Prevention and Control of Infection (ICPIC) in Geneva, Switzerland, and the State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (Second-Class) in 2019. In addition, over
the past 20 years, he obtained HK$62M research fundings. Undoubtedly, he has made significant achievements and contributions to both the academia and to society, which he endeavors to continue through Antenovus.
Dr. Kao is now a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Microbiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, and a member of the State Key Laboratory of Emerging Infectious Diseases at HKU.
ACHIEVEMENTS
2010
Established the world’s first model of chemical genetics in viruses and illustrated that chemical genetic approach could be employed to probe druggable targets of a pathogenic virus
Featured in Time Magazine, and received recognition from the then Premier of China, Wen Jiabao during his visit
Discovered influenza nucleoprotein as a druggable antiviral target, and nucleozin a novel potent antagonist of the nucleoprotein.
2016
Began making important discoveries of and publications (in Frontiers in Microbiology, mBio, PNAS, etc. for consecutive years) on antivirulence against S. aureus. Read more here.
Founded Acticule Life Sciences
Received the "Innovation Academy Award" from International Consortium of Prevention and Control of Infection (ICPIC) in Geneva, Switzerland
Established the world’s first model of chemical genetics in viruses and illustrated that chemical genetic approach could be employed to probe druggable targets of a pathogenic virus
Featured in Time Magazine, and received recognition from the then Premier of China, Wen Jiabao during his visit
2017
2004
Established the world’s first model of chemical genetics in viruses and illustrated that chemical genetic approach could be employed to probe druggable targets of a pathogenic virus
Featured in Time Magazine, and received recognition from the then Premier of China, Wen Jiabao during his visit
2003
Collaborated with Dr. David Da-i Ho, distinguished virologist, in combating the SARS epidemic with peptide-based fusion inhibitors
2023
Officially launched
Awarded the "State Scientific and Technological Progress Award (Second-class)"
Established Antenovus Biotechnology Limited
2019