Nerdy Science Blog

BERNAMA:

Malaysia Sees Potential In Tissue Banking

KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) — The development of the science of tissue banking in Malaysia will contribute substantially to the biotechnology sector as it could lower the cost for Malaysian patients in need of such care.

Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, chief executive officer of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp), said today that for the development of tissue banking, Malaysia needs to industriously complement the efforts of the National Tissue Bank and Nuclear Malaysia in stepping up commercialisation of tissue banking.

The Tissue Engineering and Stem Cell Technology Report 2007 published by Visiongain estimates the market for future tissue engineered products, including regeneration of bone, cartilage and other connective structural treatments, at US$5 billion globally, he said.

“The market value of tissue banking could contribute to the Malaysian economy even though there are no definitive numbers as yet for Asia or the Asia Pacific, but the growth of the business in key markets in India and China is more than positive,” he said.

According to NovaSterilis, a US company which provides sterilisation technology for medical devices and human tissue, indicated that the US tissue bank market was worth US$400 million last year, he said.

“Tissue banking offers exciting possibilities in managing complex bone and cartilage diseases, spinal cord injuries and other serious injuries. It also prolongs life and adds meaningful years of freedom and mobility not only for the elderly but also for our children and youth by crippling diseases,” he told a press conference here on the forthcoming 5th World Congress on Tissue Banking.

Malaysia’s National Tissue Bank is recognised for producing safe, high quality tissue grafts in a wide field of application for burns, orthopaedic, microsurgery, facial, dental and paediatric surgery, according to Iskandar.

The National Tissue Bank’s research & development activities had achieved outstanding international work, with more than 40 research findings in amniotic membranes, bone grafts, trauma and reconstruction.

“Integrated research is also conducted in bio-materials, tissue engineering and stem cells,” he said.

Meanwhile Iskandar said that with the contribution of Nuclear Malaysia and other Malaysian participants, the 5th World Congress on Tissue Banking here on June 3-5 will feature speakers from 20 countries including the US, Cuba, UK, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Russia, India, Korea and Hong Kong.

– BERNAMA

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Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) is an agency under Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, and Ministry of Finance Incorporated. Its main objective is to identify, support and promote the value in both R&D and commerce.

Current Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Abdullah Hj. Ahmad Badawi is charing both Biotechnology Implementation Council and Biotechnology International Advisory Panel. Biotechnology Implementation Council governs the agency while Biotechnology International Advisory Panel acts as advisor. I do hope that some other respectable people with science background can be the chairperson.

BiotechCorp plays the role as one stop centre so that they can provide support, facilitation and advisory services for biotechnology companies in Malaysia. Besides, BiotechCorp also giving out BioNexus Status as an award for qualified companies. Companies which are awarded with BioNexus Status will also benefit in incentive, such as 100% income tax exemption for ten years. BiotechCorp also grant funding for bio-entrepreneurs, researchers and companies to commercialize and develop their products.

For more detailed information please visit BiotechCorp website. The website also provides industry and BiotechCorp news.

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Although Malaysa is lagged behind other countries in biotechnology sector, its growth is steadily increasing.

The Star:

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s stem cell research and therapy market is estimated to be worth US$157mil, said Malaysian Biotechnology Corp Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) chief executive officer Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood.

He said although the penetration rate for stem cell research and therapy was still small, the potential of the sector was huge, with year-on-year growth rate estimated at about 12%.

Under Stem Cells Operational & Professional Excellence (Scope) programme by Stempeutics Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd, 15 Malaysian employees were trained in India and will be working at the Stempeutics stem cell lab at Technology Park Malaysia next month.  The coming Scope programme will be held in Malaysia and the amount of trainee will be increase to 45 people.

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