Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Malaysia through the Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), to promote and develop cooperation in biotechnology.
“Through collaboration with Agilent, the Global Reference Research Lab will help intensify IPHARM's research activities in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals”
Under the terms of the MoU, the strategic alliance will focus on the establishment of the IPHARM-Agilent Global Reference Research Lab and the development of human capital in the emerging field of biotechnology. The lab will develop global Halal* testing standards in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. It also will provide access to state-of-the-art analytical tools and expertise to develop the local industry and small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem in their commercialization efforts.
IPHARM brings its domain expertise in bioactive compounds research and analysis to the partnership while leveraging Malaysia's inherited strength in biodiversity and its aspiration to be a global Halal testing leader in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
As a leading provider of bioanalytical instruments and the world's premier company in electronic measurement, Agilent will provide specialized technical expertise to set up the lab and leading-edge analytical and application solutions to jointly develop the global Halal testing standards with IPHARM. Agilent also will transfer its deep base of biotechnology knowledge to Malaysia to build and develop indigenous capabilities through an ecosystem of local knowledge partners.
"Agilent shares a common desire with the Government of Malaysia to realize the national agenda for biotechnology," said Gooi Soon Chai, president of Agilent Technologies Malaysia and Singapore. "Our partnership presents an enormous potential to accelerate the development of this field as the next engine of growth for the country."
"Through collaboration with Agilent, the Global Reference Research Lab will help intensify IPHARM's research activities in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals," said Dato' Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. "This is where the local SMEs will also be able to grow their capabilities and compete on a global stage."
"As a leading provider of bioanalytical instruments and solutions, we are delighted to partner with IPHARM to enable the development of biotechnology infrastructure, intellectual property and human capital in Malaysia," said Nick Roelofs, president of Agilent's Life Sciences Group.
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