Conference for aspiring biotech entrepreneurs

Kuala Lumpur, September 6, 2007 -- Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp), is organizing a two-day conference next week (September 10 and 11, 2007, Le Meridien Hotel, Kuala Lumpur). The Biotechnology Entrepreneurship Conference is one of BiotechCorp's human capital development initiatives.

As biotechnology is built from the power of research and human intellect, Malaysia's blueprint to the development of biotechnology, the National Biotechnology Policy, commits one of its Nine Thrusts to the development of human capital via education and training.

Along with further support from the Malaysian Government through an allocation of fund in the Ninth Malaysia Plan specifically to build human capital for biotechnology, BiotechCorp aims to intensify Malaysia's knowledge generation capabilities by organizing fine-tuned development programmes such as this Conference. Other programmes that BiotechCorp has in the pipeline are, among others, the Mentoring Programme and the Biotechnology Special Training Programme for Life Sciences Graduates (BeST) Programme.

"The Conference will give the participants an introduction to the various issues concerning commercialisation, intellectual property, business plan development and funding. At the same time, it will also provide the participants with the networking opportunities with fellow aspiring entrepreneurs, industry players and potential investors," said YBhg Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, the CEO of BiotechCorp.

Among the topics that will be covered are the Business of Biotechnology, Commercialisation of Research, Funding Strategies for Biotechnology Start-ups, Regulatory Requirements and Intellectual Property Issues, and Success Stories and Entrepreneurship Experience.

The presenters are renowned personalities in the biotechnology industry, local and international. Some 100 participants from the industry will be present.

It will be opened by Dato' Iskandar and features a key note address from Dr Villoo Patel, the Managing Director and founder of Avestha Gengraine Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (India), the winner of the 'Entrepreneur of the Year 2006' award from BioSpectrum of India.

About BiotechCorp
BiotechCorp is an agency under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and is wholly-owned by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated. The objective of the establishment of BiotechCorp amongst others is to identify value propositions in the biotechnology sector in both R&D and commerce and to support these ventures via financial assistance, and developmental and facilitation services.