University Putra Malaysia (UPM) has gone a long way from its humble beginnings as a offshoot agriculture department from University Malaya, being one of the most vibrant research universities in the country with great emphasis on agro-based research and commercialization. According to Vice Chancellor Professor Datuk Nik Mustapha R Abdullah, the university aims to create an environment supporting innovation in advancing agro-based research. Similarly, its dedication to the commercializing of its innovations were evidenced in the awarding of the Commercialisation Award at the university’s excellence awards ceremony. The RM20 million award was given to Assoc Prof Dr Syed Omar Syed Rastan and Assoc Prof Dr Ahmad Husni Mohd Hanif for their products Vita-Grow and Zappa, devised to increase padi yield.

A very promising vaccine for the treatment of lung cancer that has been brought to the country of late is of an unlikely source. Long known for its cigars and music, amid the US embargo, Cuba has silently grown into a biotech giant in its own right, and will be running clinical trials for its cancer vaccines in Malaysia. According to the Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology Project Manager Dr Gisela Gonzalez Marinello, the vaccine helps prolong the life of the patient. Sixty percent of the patients treated with the vaccine have a continued lifespan of 12 months in comparison to only six to seven months with only chemotherapy. Instrumental in bringing such cutting edge technology to the country were Bioven Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Dr W. Shermal Perera and Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir. It will also be Malaysia's very first clinical trial organised by a Malaysian biotech company.