Love is a mystical force that weaves through all things in the universe, binding our spirit to one another and to something greater than ourselves. 

Yet, love is not a passive feeling we simply wait to experience; it is an active, living force. 

When we pursue love with intention and courage, we don’t just transform our own lives; we become part of the healing and awakening of the world.

“To become an approved medicine, every potential drug must walk a long, demanding path—and that journey is nothing short of inspiring,” Dr. Lee Ching Lew, Probionic’s Managing Director shared.

In her own words,

It begins with Phase I (Safety and Dosage), a small clinical trial focused on one crucial question: is it safe? 

Many companies never make it past this stage. 

Yet every attempt, even those that fail, pushes science forward and brings us closer to better treatments for patients.

If a drug shows promise in Phase I, it moves to Phase II (Efficacy and Side Effects). In Phase IIa (Pilot efficacy), researchers work to confirm that the drug’s effect is real, statistically sound, and still safe. 

Then, in Phase IIb (Finding the right dose), they refine the dosage. 

What worked before might have been just one dose level. Now they ask: is 50 mg enough? Would 100, 200, or 300 mg be better—or more harmful? 



Just like with a common medicine such as Panadol, the goal is to find the dose that truly helps without causing harm.



After that comes Phase III (Comparison and Monitoring)—the big test. 



This is where the drug is studied in a much larger group, sometimes around 1,000 people or more.

Here, researchers want to be confident that when the drug reaches the general public, it will be safe and effective, even for people who might not have the exact condition it was designed to treat. 

Using the Panadol example again, they want to know: if someone without a headache takes it, will they be safe? Will there be unexpected side effects?

If Phase III is successful, the manufacturer can file a New Drug Application (NDA) for Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.

Each phase is a hurdle, but also a milestone. 

Every step forward represents years of effort, countless hours of research, and a deep commitment to protecting human life. 

The road is long and often uncertain—but it is through this demanding journey, guided by a scientist’s love and unwavering spirit, that life-changing medicines are born.



That’s the true secret: perseverance, curiosity, and the courage to keep going when the path ahead isn’t clear.

Author’s Note:

Happy World Health Day 2026! Together with health, Stand with science!

This is Part 4: Spirit Refuses No Love of a 4-part series, created to honor the unwavering commitment of Probionic—both to advancing science and to improving human health. 



Dr. Lee Ching responded to the question, “Many people only see the final result of scientific work, not the years of trial and error behind it. Can you describe a time when perseverance in your research made a critical difference?” in this story.



May these stories inspire you to look deeper, question more, and believe in the power of discovery and love.