Glycos Biotechnologies, Inc. (GlycosBio), an emerging biochemical company pioneering metabolic engineering and microbiology innovations for the production of sustainable biochemicals, today announced the company's international expansion into Malaysia.
“We are excited to be partnering with Bio-XCell to bring GlycosBio's technological platform to the Malaysian biochemical industry”
To mark the official commencement of this expansion, executives from GlycosBio and Malaysian dignitaries including The Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation for Malaysia, Datuk Seri Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili; and the Chairman of Malaysian Bio-XCell Sdn. Bhd, Dato' Iskandar Mahmood will gather at the BIO International Convention taking place in Chicago on May 4th to witness the signing of Memorandum of Application pertaining to the construction of GlycosBio's facility in Malaysia. Under this agreement GlycosBio and Malaysian Bio-XCell Sdn. Bhd., a government-supported industrial ecosystem focused on the advancement of biotechnology in Malaysia, will agree to collaborate on the construction of GlycosBio's biochemical plant and biotechnology research and development facility within Bio-XCell's industrial park in Malaysia.
"We are excited to be partnering with Bio-XCell to bring GlycosBio's technological platform to the Malaysian biochemical industry," said Rich Cilento, Chief Executive Officer of Glycos Biotechnologies. "This announcement is further validation of the scale and economic possibilities GlycosBio's microbial technology can provide to a variety of industries globally. The company's expansion into Malaysia makes GlycosBio one of the first companies to be focused on research and development as well as the commercialization of advanced biochemicals in the region, and we plan to leverage this position to help the Malaysian government maintain and improve its sustainability production goals in the downstream palm oil industry."
Construction of the plant will begin in Q3 2010 with an expected completion date in early 2012. In addition to the partnership with Bio-XCell, GlycosBio will also be working closely with the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, the national agency set up by the Malaysian government for the development of biotechnology in Malaysia.
"We see the palm oil industry as being a long-term source of "renewable feedstocks" which directly align with our technology," said Walt Burnap, President of Glycos Biotechnologies. "Using GlycosBio's microbial strains and related downstream engineering processes will allow the Malaysian palm oil industry to meet the market demands of the 21st century."
"As the biggest producer and exporter of palm oil and having one of the largest oleochemical industries in the world, Malaysia is aggressively seeking alternative approaches to ensuring more sustainable production methods," said Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of BiotechCorp and Chairman of Bio-XCell. "Our partnership with GlycosBio supports Malaysia's interest in developing and creating new business opportunities for international companies focused on advanced biotechnology. By implementing technology from biochemical and biotechnology companies like GlycosBio, palm oil and oleochemical producers will be able to convert lower value product streams into renewable feedstocks that can then be used to produce greener, more valuable biochemicals."
For attendees of the BIO International Convention, more information about GlycosBio and the partnership with Bio-XCell can be found at the Malaysian Pavilion, booth #1131. Or, please visit www.glycosbio.com.
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