MALAYSIA’S BIOTECH INDUSTRY IS SEEING FRUITION

WASHINGTON, June 30 (Bernama) – Malaysia’s venture into the biotechnology
sector is now seeing fruition, thanks to the relentless efforts by the
government in promoting the industry.

After less than seven years in the sector, marked with the setting up of the
Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) in 2005, Malaysia’s infant
biotechnology industry is gaining global recognition.

The US-based Biotechnology Industry Organisation (BIO) has been watching the
progress made by Malaysia in the biotechnology industry and its growing
importance in Asia.

Confident that there is a nexus between Malaysia and BIO, the organisation
has decided to move its annual traditional meet in the US this year to Kuala
Lumpur.

Now BIO’s 6th Pacific Rim Summit on Industrial Biotechnology and Bioenergy
will be held together with Malaysia’s annual bio conference and exhibition at
the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from Nov 21 to 23.

Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, who is here, officially
announced Wednesday the convergence of the two global meets during a curtain
raiser for the events at the ongoing 2011 BIO International Convention
at the Walter E Washington Convention Centre.

BIO Malaysia will focus on feedstock, technology, human capital, market
access, financing and business model in the areas of healthcare and agriculture,
while the Pacific Rim Summit will touch on industrial biotechnology and
bioenergy which include marine bio-resources, advanced biofuels, renewable
hydrocarbon and energy crops.

Brent Erickson, executive vice-president of BIO, told Malaysian journalists
that the organisation decided to pick Malaysia to co-host the summit as the
country was looked up for playing a greater role in leading the development of
the biotechnology industry in the Asian region.

He said the 1,100-strong BIO members worldwide were very excited and
looking forward to go to Malaysia for the two global meetings, and seeking new
market opportunities in the region.

He said Malaysia was also a preferred choice as the country could offer
ample business prospects for its members as it had such a huge untapped biomass
resources, a strong national biotechnology policy that encouraged the
development of the industry, and a conducive ecosystem that was attractive to
global biotechnology players.

Erickson said although the invitation to the meetings in Kuala Lumpur for
BIO members had not been extended yet, the response from its members had been
very positive.

He confidently said that over 300 of its members from the US, Japan, China,
Australia and other regions were expected to attend the Kuala Lumpur meetings.

Meanwhile, BiotechCorp’s chief operating officer Dr Wan Abdul Rahaman Wan
Yaacob said the KL meetings would give the opportunity for biotechnology players
from all corners of the world to share knowledge and information on the
biotechnology industry.

He said the meetings were also very important to Malaysian biotechnology
entrepreneurs who were still new in the field as they could tap the experience
of the established players and those that got the technology in the industry.

“We no need to reinvent the wheel,” he said, adding that biotechnology
industry was now becoming the third wave hitting the world economy in terms of
importance after healthcare and agriculture.
–- BERNAMA