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AgBiotech

In an attempt to address consumer concern on food safety, animal biotechnology specialist and feed additives manufacturer Sunzen Biotech Bhd. plans to develop more “green” or non-antibiotic animal healthcare products . With EU countries banning the use of antibiotics in animal feed additives, managing director Dr Tan Kim Sing believes the trend would slowly come to Malaysia . In Malaysia , he said Sunzen was the only company that focused on R&D to produce its own animal health products through collaboration with UPM and the Taiwan National Pingtung University of Science and Technology.

 

Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (ACGT) has tied up with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to conduct research on increasing fruit yield and quality using the oil palm genome. The wholly-owned subsidiary of Asiatic Development Bhd (Genting Group's plantation arm) is also committed to spending RM50 million to RM60 million on research over the next three years, which will include its collaboration with MPOB. This comes as Malaysia plans to stem palm oil price declines by raising exports as Americans are becoming more aware of palm oils health benefits, and boost local use as well.

 

 

Viewing the jatropha research and development activities being carried out at Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd's (ACGT) Jatropha Experimental Station, Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Peter Chin Fah Kui believes that jatropha is a possible crop for biodiesel with potential. ACGT is currently conducting R&D work on jatropha as an immediate response to address the current issue of high fuel prices and the food-versus-fuel controversy, as it was non-edible. The aridity resistant crop is poised to become Malaysia 's next big crop. In a related move, MOSTI has announced that government agencies and entrepreneurs researching into jatropha could seek extra funding from the ministry to encourage technology development in the plant as a renewable fuel.

             
Industry & Investment

CCM Duopharma Biotech Bhd is optimistic of the pharmaceutical industry to remain robust despite the current economic challenges. Due to continued strong demand, the company decided to launch their latest marine collagen oral skin supplement, Prokin . The marine collagen market in Malaysia was worth RM20mil per annum, while Prokin was specially formulated for Asian skin. The product had been available at Guardian and Watsons outlets for two months and would be rolled out to other pharmacies soon.

Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd, a contract manufacturer of biopharmaceutical products, expects to generate US$80 million to US$100 million (RM262 million to RM327 million) in revenue within five years as it signs up more contracts with customers. The company, established in 2002, develops biopharmaceutical products like active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) and antibody drugs. APIs are the starting material to develop drugs. Inno Bio Ventures, the parent company of Inno Biologics, is a Ministry of Finance Inc company.

             
Policy

In a deal aimed at advanced nanotechnology research and development (R&D) and collaboration USM signed an agreement recently with BiotechCorp for three USM researchers to undergo 12 months of training in France. Last year, BiotechCorp signed a technology transfer and licence agreement with NBTX of France, where they acquired an exclusive worldwide licence for a nanotechnology platform.

 

In a collaborative move between Melaka Biotechnology Corporation and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), the country's first toxicology laboratory will be set up in the historical city . Expected to be set up in Ayer Keroh, the RM4.2 million laboratory, is scheduled to be completed in October. Currently, UKM is producing pure essential oils under the patronage of Malacca Institute of Biotechnology and commercialised by Melaka Biotech Holdings Sdn Bhd. This project is aimed at discovering all aromatic plants in the country and to produce essential-oil-based products.

 
 

The Education Ministry will make Agricultural Science a co-curriculum activity for all 10,000 primary and secondary schools. In an effort to introduce more agro-based activities for schools, the contents of the subject would be revised to attract more students, especially those in urban areas. It was hoped an interest in agriculture could be revived and this would encourage students to take related subjects in their tertiary education. In related development, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced that he wants to see performance of the farm sector after government aid being allocated as agricultural exports increase last year to RM14 billion.