Bernama,
18 March 2008
BiotechCorp On Track To
Meet Target Of 70 New Bionexus-status Firms By
Year-end
KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 18 (Bernama) -- Malaysian
Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp), the agency
to boost the development of the biotechnology
industry, is on track to have 70 new BioNexus-status
companies by year-end, its chief executive Datuk
Iskandar Mizal Mahmood says.
"We are optimistic of achieving the target. There
are a few strong and robust companies in the
pipeline (to obtain the status). We are now studying
the prospect of these companies," he told reporters
at the launch of the new corporate identity of
Biosis Group Bhd and the signing of memorandum of
understanding between the company and Autoimmune Sdn
Bhd here today.
Currently, there are 51 BioNexus-status companies in
Malaysia, of which 47 are local and four are foreign
companies.
There were nine new BioNexus-status companies --
three in healthcare, two in agriculture and four in
industrial -- with approved investment of RM15
million at end-January.
A BioNexus status is equivalent to a Multimedia
Super Corridor-status where companies get tax breaks
and government grants for research.
Iskandar said BiotechCorp has facilitated approved
investment of close to RM1 billion from 2005 till
end of last year, with 19 BioNexus-status companies
in healthcare, 15 in agriculture, six in industrial
and two in bioinformatics.
He said as part of the move to strengthen
intellectual property (IP) management, the agency
collaborated with the Malaysian Institute of
Management to launch the certified programme for IP
managers last year.
"This programme will develop 45 certified managers
in IP laws and rights, portfolio management and the
commercialisation of IP as well as all essential
components of the biotech business by year-end," he
said.
Meanwhile, Biosis chief executive officer, Khoo Chee
Kong, said the group (formerly Hi-City Bioscience
Group Bhd), expected to complete the proposed
acquisition of 50.1 percent stake in Autoimmune Sdn
Bhd in three months.
"The collaboration is synergistic for both parties
as each can benefit from the respective
complementing advantages," he said.
Autoimmune, a BioNexus-status company, focuses on
research and development of natural products derived
from herbal plants. |
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