Bernama.com (Malaysian
National News Agency), 06 December 2006
PM Announces First Batch of BioNexus Status Companies
KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Wednesday announced seven biotechnology and life sciences companies as the first batch to be given BioNexus status, which qualifies them to receive special tax incentives, grants and other forms of support.
The companies included Malaysia Bio-Diagnostic Research Sdn Bhd, a company specialising in developing medical diagnostic kits; KL Biotech Manufacturing Sdn Bhd which is involved in the development of supplements and pharmaceuticals derived from Malaysian herbs; Vivantis Technologies Sdn Bhd, a company involved in the research and development (R&D) and production of enzymes and related biological products; and Nova Laboratories Sdn Bhd, which is involved in the development of plant-based pharmaceuticals.
The three other companies were IPT Kosmo Sdn Bhd, which is involved in the application of an advanced and patented technology for wastewater treatment; The Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd, which specialises in genome sequencing and the discovery of biomarkers; and Innobiologics Sdn Bhd, which specialises in contract manufacturing of biopharmaceuticals.
"These seven companies represent the beginning of many more biotech enterprises in the future," Abdullah said at the launch of BioMalaysia 2006 Exhibition and Conference, here Wednesday.
Also present were Science, Technology and Innovations Minister Datuk Seri Dr Jamaludin Mohd Jarjis and Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp)'s chief executive officer Iskandar Mizal Mahmood.
The event, one of the largest networking, marketing and knowledge-sharing platform for the biotechnology industry highlighting the latest scientific and business trends, funding prospects and key issues in the life sciences industry, was organised by the Science, Technology and Innovations Ministry and BiotechCorp.
Abdullah said another 100 applications for BioNexus status were currently being evaluated and he hoped that these companies will also yield real value-generating prospects.
He said the BioNexus status will complement other industry development measures in growing more Malaysian biotechnology companies as well as in attracting international biotechnology and life sciences companies to set up base or to have joint ventures in Malaysia.
Abdullah said Malaysia was very much in the initial stages of biotechnology development. "But with the convergence of these measures, I trust and believe that we will soon see the fruits of our labour," he said.
"Much more remains to be done as an ongoing mission, such as the development of human capital and the strengthening of our capacity for innovation. These areas continue to receive close attention," he added.
Jamaludin, in his speech earlier, said since the launch of the National Biotechnology Policy in April last year, the country's biotechnology landscape has been radically transformed.
"There are now better rules and regulations, more incentives and more funds being made available," he said.
Jamaludin said Malaysia's "get up and go" approach has been applied to biotechnology.
"The government, through various agencies and bodies such as BiotechCorp, also wants to energise entrepreneurship, inspire ambitions and open new possibilities in this sector," he said.
-- BERNAMA |
