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AgBiotech & Environment
Red tilapia for a computer, a fair trade? That was what Mohd Izuddin Mohd Rozali did when he left his computer networking business to manage an aquaculture projects at Sungai Como. The project, which yielded its harvest last month, is strong proof of the success of the Aquaculture Industry Zone, covering 2,800 ha at Sungai Como. The success of the project has attracted the attention from the private sector, importers as well as garnered praise from the State Fisheries Department.
  
 
The Gunung Panti bird sanctuary, which will open in Kota Tinggi later this year, will provide a new retreat for birdwatchers as well as being a sanctuary housing up to 300 species of birds. The 1200 ha sanctuary has been a favourite gathering point for seasoned birdwatchers, and hence the state government has invested RM400,000 to build facilities in the area for the convenience of nature lovers.
               

Similarly, the Bukit Bauk Forest Reserve is noted to be a treasure trove of biodiversity being home to hundreds of species of unknown plants as well as several new species of traditional Malaysian libido boosters. Species previously unheard of, like the Bulan Dara, Gajah Lawan and Gajah Menarik are the latest hormone enhancers to be found in the 7,654 ha virgin jungle.

Industry & Trade
Malaysian biotechnology darling, StemLife Bhd expands its wings again as it signs a memorandum of understanding with the Kazakhstan National Center for Biotechnology and its National Research Medical Center. The MoU was signed to allow cooperation between both parties on research in the field of stem cell application and medical therapeutics in Kazakhstan. The move is anticipated to promote and commercialise stem cell research, as well as setting up a stem cell bank in the republic. Currently, StemLife only has overseas operations in Thailand, and the move is touted to be a stepping stone for it into being a multinational company.
 

Cuban molecular biologist, Dr Cristina Mateo de Acosta, from Cuba’s Center for Molecular Immunology hopes that biotechnology would become an important field of cooperation between Cuba and Malaysia. Here on a six-week attachment at Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd to train Malaysian scientists in molecular biology techniques, Dr. de Acosta believes that Asia would benefit from the cancer treatments that Cuba has to offer. She believes that such partnerships could be seen as paving the way to develop monoclonal antibody products in the future.
               
Investment
Penang will see greater investment for its biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry if the response in the BIO conference 2007 in Boston is anything to come by. According to Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, who was in Boston from May 6 to 8, key people from the four world leaders in the pharmaceutical industry like Pfizer, Schering-Plough Corp, Wyeth, Merck Sharp and Dhome, as well as Amgen which is the world’s largest biotech company were impressed with the presence of the country’s leading research university as well as the soon to be built Malaysian Institute for Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals in Penang.
               
The Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund has so far invested in seven biotech companies, totaling US$21 million. This is roughly 14% of the US$150 million fund which has been allocated by the government for investment in agriculture, industrial and healthcare biotechnology. The companies range from medical device manufacturer for cancer treatment, diagnostic therapeutic drugs as well as bio-butanol from palm oil. The MLSCF is co-managed by MTDC and San Francisco-based Burrill & Co.
On the other hand, plans are being made by Welli Multi Corp to boost its halal food business as well as building a biodiesel plant in Penang. In collaboration with its new partner, Welli is slated to invest RM250 million in building the world’s first halal gelatin plant in Malaysia. A further RM100 million is being provided for a biodiesel plant in Penang. The move is anticipated to generate greater revenue for the nation as well as solidifying its placement as the premier halal food producer across the globe.
  
Policy
 
The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) was set up in 2002 from a number of Malaysian companies as founding members, and has currently grown into a more than 200 member organization which include plantations as well as non-governmental organizations like WWF and Oxfam. It has served as a platform facilitating co-operation within the supply chain as well as opening dialogue among stakeholders, and will continue to deliver efficiency of the crop through best pracices, improving productivity and minimizing the environmental impact of the precious commodity.
 
International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Rafidah Aziz has called upon Malaysian biotech companies to join hands with Chinese research centers specializing in agricultural and herb-based medicines as Malaysia strives to benefit from such partnerships. With China’s strength in traditional medicine being coupled with Malaysia’s push in biotechnology, it would be possible that the partnership will allow bilateral trade and R&D being pushed to greater heights.