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Langkawi International Dialogue Showcases Local Firms Success Stories
The Langkawi International Dialogue (LID) Showcase 2004 is testimony that Malaysia - well-known for its electronic manufacturing services and semiconductor products - has ventured successfully into bio-pharmaceuticals, satellite technology, defence equipment and specialised medical services. Themed Enhancing Technology For Socio-Economic Well-Being, this year's showcase saw the participation of 30 local companies, specialising in information communication technology, security appliances, software application solutions, bio-pharmaceutical and healthcare services, ballistics products, and remote sensing technology businesses.
AsiaPrise Biotech Sdn Bhd (APSB), Astronautic Technology Sdn Bhd (ATSB), Inno Biologics Sdn Bhd (IBSB), Malaysia Centre For Remote Sensing (MACRES), and Sri Jentayu Global Sdn Bhd (SJG) were some of the companies at the exhibition that have made headway in the new business areas. These companies were bound by a single objective - to make the presence of their products felt outside of the country. To tap into the market of LID member countries, they introduced products and specialised medical services at the showcase that were of high quality and competitively priced.
Nilai Cancer Institute (NCI), owned and operated by APSB since 1998, provides clinical trials on new cancer drugs for multinational pharmaceutical companies. APSB public affairs head Susie Chai said the centre was the first in the country to obtain the Health Ministry approval to conduct clinical trials using monoclonal antibodies. NCI has been awarded with ISO 9001 quality standard and complies with Good Clinical Practice. Our objective is to attract overseas pharmaceutical companies to conduct clinical trials on their cancer drugs at our centre, which is capable of providing high quality professional services at competitive rates,' she said. Chai said the centre also offered High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatment instead of conventional radiation to treat cancer patients.
'NCI is currently undergoing an expansion program and after its completion, there are further plans to introduce new methods of treatment such as stem cells transplants, cancer vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies to treat cancer,' she added.
Situated in Bio Valley in Dengkil, Selangor, INNO Biologics Sdn Bhd specialises in bio-process development, gene cloning and training in bio-manufacturing. Its group chief executive officer Dr Mohd Nazlee Kamal said that the group was spending approximately RM10mil to re-develop four types protein-based generics drugs for a regional pharmaceutical company. 'We are re-developing them as their patent had recently expired. These protein-based generics drugs were for treating various types of genetic diseases. We are targeting to complete the work in 2006. In 2007, we should be able to start manufacturing the drugs for our customer,' he said.
Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad Mohd Nazlee said the global business potential for the four protein-based drugs is estimated at US$10bil (RM38bil). In the field of space technology, Astronautic Technology is currently developing the third generation of the Razak satellite by the end of 2004. Its managing director Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said that for the first time the integration, assembly, and test of the satellite would all be done in Malaysia.
'Previously, portions of the work were done in South Korea. We will also be using Malaysian-made components for the satellite, which uses remote sensing technology,' he said, adding that the company spent three years on a research and development project to develop the satellite. The company planned to introduce the satellite, which offers higher resolution images to the market early next year. Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (MACRES) is also another company that have made significant headway in developing space remote sensing and related technologies. We ready to provide the technology in gathering data from satellites to developing countries. We are already in talks with the LID delegates interested in remote sensing technology.
'MACRES would not only impart useful knowledge like processing extracted data from satellites but also provide training and consultation. 'The knowledge would help these countries, especially in planning its development programmes and managing disasters,' said MACRES director Datuk Nik Nasruddin Mahmood. In the arena of defence equipment development, Sri Jentayu Global, a ballistic protection products manufacturer, is ready to penetrate the African market. Its managing director Zakariah Hussain said Sri Jentayu was confident of entering the market after receiving the exposure at the LID showcase 2004 with its wide range of 'cutting edge' body armour to the military forces, the police and security companies. Our products currently are exported to Britain, India, Europe and West Asia. We hope to expand to African countries,' he said.
Langkawi 9/8/2004
