Sarawak plans RM50mil regenerative medicine hub
KUALA LUMPUR: Sarawak is proposing a RM50 million investment to develop Southeast Asia's first integrated regenerative medicine hub, aimed at bringing research, manufacturing and clinical applications under one roof.
Sarawak plans to invest RM50 million in creating Southeast Asia's first integrated regenerative medicine hub. This facility, called the Sarawak Regenerative BioFoundry, aims to merge research, manufacturing, and clinical applications in a single location. Sarawak Regenerative BioFoundry is a joint venture between Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corp and BioVerde Technologies Sdn Bhd, the commercial branch of the Sarawak Biodiversity Council. The BioFoundry will be situated within the Sarawak Bioindustrial Park.
The BioFoundry will focus on developing cell and gene therapy products, which utilize living cells or genetic material to address complex diseases like specific cancers and genetic disorders. By facilitating the transition from laboratory to patient, the BioFoundry seeks to expedite advancements in regenerative medicine. Bioeconomy Corp's CEO, Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure and clear development pathways to translate biological research into real-world treatments.
Although Malaysia's biotechnology sector has promising technologies, challenges persist in obtaining clinical validation and market entry.
Mohd Khairul explained that Bioeconomy Corp currently backs over 50 biotech companies working on cell and gene therapy products, which could form a pipeline for the BioFoundry. The facility will consist of four parts: manufacturing, clinical activities, technology, and research, all operating in line with Health Ministry regulations and guidelines.
Under this partnership, Bioeconomy Corp and BioVerde will jointly manage these operations, liaise with healthcare regulators, and promote talent development and incentive access.
BioVerde's CEO, Hazwan Razak, emphasized that the BioFoundry will stimulate high-value industries at the Sarawak Bioindustrial Park by interlinking research, manufacturing, clinical applications, and investment. Additionally, the initiative should aid Sarawak's economic diversification by drawing investment, generating high-skilled jobs, and reinforcing its biotechnology and healthcare ecosystem. This collaboration stems from a memorandum of understanding signed between Bioeconomy Corp and BioVerde in October 2025.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
