Pilot biotech plant plans for Malaysia
The Malaysian Health Ministry is finalising a proposal to establish a RM60m (€16m) pilot bio-technology plant, located at a public university, to produce vaccines under the Intensification of Research in Priority Areas (IRPA) programme. According to National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau director Zin Che Awang, the university would undertake the r&d aspect of the project, while Malaysia will forge a partnership with a medically advanced country to supply the expertise needed for expanding the local pharmaceutical industry and helping the country become more self-sufficient.
The Malaysian government expects to save significant amounts of money annually by reducing its foreign medication imports. 'By manufacturing our own products such as hepatitis B vaccines, we will save millions of ringgit each year which could be channelled into improving other medical areas,' he said. 'In time, we hope to scale up to commercial production so that we can even export our medicines in our bid to become the biotechnology hub of Southeast Asia.'