Biotechnology

 

Malaysia

Overview                                                                                            

 

·            Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (MBC) was set-up as a one-stop agency for biotechnology sector.  Malaysia aims to increase its stable of 123 local biotech firms to 400 and bring in eight foreign biotech firms by the year 2010. 

 

·           Under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (2006-2010), US$548 million has been allocated for the development of biotechnology industry in Malaysia.  Emphasis will be placed on research, development and commercialization, strategic technology acquisition, business and entrepreneurship development, and infrastructure. 

 

·           The Malaysian Technology Development Corp and US venture capital firm Burrill & Co. will jointly managing US$200 million funds, which will be investing in life sciences companies in Malaysia, the US and other countries.

 

·           The biotechnology sector can emulate or even surpass MSC’s success via BioNexus, a hub for biotechnology companies, which are expected to rake in revenue of US$1 trillion by 2015. 

 

·           Initially, three centers of excellence will be established as part of the BioNexus:

-The Center of Excellence for Genomics & Molecular Biology.

-The Center of Excellence for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals.

-The Center of Excellence for Agro-biotechnology.

 

·            Biopharmaceutical Complex, costing US$26 million, owned by InnoBiologics Sdn Bhd was recently launched.  It will produce biogeneric-based drugs used for treating cancers, diabetes, anemia and human immunodeficiency virus infections.  Other services to be offered in the future include gene-cloning and protein expression, biopharmaceutical process development and training.

 

Best Products/Services                                                                    

 

·            Agricultural biotechnology will be utilized to ensure ample food supply for Malaysia.  Industries targeted for improvement include palm oil, rice, cocoa, lumber and forest species, fruits, flowers, ornamentals, vegetables, spices and other minor crops and plants.

 

·            Malaysia’s biodiversity holds great potential to generate valuable biopharmaceuticals especially with the global market value for the products estimated to reach US$200 billion in 2008.  Bioactive compounds from indigenous plants are being researched for the treatment of cancer, eczema, diabetes and hypertension.  This holds great promise for medical biotechnology. 

 

·           Focus areas identified by the GOM are: contract manufacturing organization, contract research organization, diagnostics and biomedical instruments, agricultural biotechnology, nutraceuticals, vaccines and bioinformatics.

 

Opportunities                                                                           

 

·           Biotech is expected to generate revenue of US$71 billion by 2020, creating 280,000 new jobs.  It is anticipated that 100 reputable biotech companies will be established in Malaysia. Malaysia’s shortage of technological expertise creates many new opportunities for U.S. firms.

 

·            Malaysia is keen on collaborating with established pharmaceutical companies in bio-pharmaceuticals such as diagnostic tools and vaccines for dengue and other infectious tropical diseases. 

 

·            Opportunities will also exist for U.S. manufacturers of scientific and laboratory equipment, which will be needed to fill the new institutions.

 

Resources                                                                                           

 

Malaysian Biotech Corporation

Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation

Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre

For more information contact Commercial Specialist Natila Ahmad.