Biotechnology is the application of biological knowledge to the development of products that can improve various aspects of life such as health, food supply, environment and general well-being. Penang, with an impressive track record in the automation, precision engineering and electronics industries in the last three decades, is diversifying into new initiatives – biotechnology and medical devices. The 9th Malaysia Plan has identified biotechnology as one of the main areas in developing knowledge economy status, while the National Biotechnology Policy says that biotechnology as “an enabling tool for advances in agriculture, healthcare and industry.”

Currently two biotechnology companies, Alpha Biologics and Progenix Research are located in Penang Science Park.

Companies:

• Alpha Biologics (www.alphabiologics.com)

A contract manufacturing organization (CMO) for cGMP mammalian secreted protein-based-drug for clinical trial I & II.

• Chakra Biotech (www.chakrabiotech.com.my)

Provides full range of SPF-rodent neurobehavioral screening services including proprietary and non-proprietary models.

• Genenews (www.genenews.com)

A molecular diagnostics company, specifically tests based on gene expression, collecting data for a number of targeted diseases.

• Info Kinetics (www.info-kinetics.com)

A one-stop specialist pharmacokinetics CRO, provides study management services for Phase I to IV clinical trials and BA/BE studies.

• Progenix Research (www.progenixresearch.com)

A contract research organization (CRO) focusing in mammalian in vivo toxicological testing and pre-clinical protein-based-drug evaluation.

• Renogenic (www.renogenic.com)

Develops diagnostic kits, monoclonal antibodies, DNA and protein extraction kits, PCR kits and enzymes.