Tag: MGRC

Malaysian Genomics Grows Presence in Thailand

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (Bursa: MGRC, 0155), a leading genomics and biopharmaceutical specialist, is pleased to announce today a series of collaborations to grow its customer base in Thailand as well as exploring opportunities for research and development (R&D) of new products and services.

Ms. Songsuda Panich, Founder of Marine Group; Encik Sasha Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics; Mr. Choy Hong Yang, Director of Salus Holdings [L-R]

The Group signed a supply and collaboration agreement with Acquest Healthcare Stem Cell Research and Development Co. Ltd. to produce CAR T-cells for supply to Acquest’s customers. Acquest is a well-established provider of various cell therapies to hospitals, specialist doctors, and patients in Thailand. It operates a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory and also the largest privately-owned specialty human cell culturing facility in the country.

The Group also signed a supply and collaboration agreement with Salus Holdings Co. Ltd. (“Salus”) to supply biopharmaceutical and genomics products and services to Salus’ customers. Salus is a specialist in wellness and health screening using science and technology for early disease detection and managing programmes for lifestyle intervention based in Bangkok, Thailand.

Finally, the Group signed a Letter of Intent with Marine Group Co. Ltd. and Salus on collaborative research in the use of genetic screening tests and formulated cosmetic products containing certain cell therapy ingredients on the regeneration of skin and hair of patients. Marine Group is an aesthetic and wellness specialist with a network of over 42 centres under the brands Slim Up(TM), Skin Doctors(TM), and Biocell(TM).

The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dato’ Jojie Samuel, Ambassador of Malaysia to Thailand and Encik Mohamed Hafiz Md Shariff, Trade Commissioner of MATRADE Bangkok.

Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics, Encik Sasha Nordin, said, “We are looking forward to a fruitful relationship with our Thai partners, Salus and Acquest. These collaborations are part of our strategy of growing our customer base and increasing our presence overseas through working with business partners who have an established presence in their respective market segments.”

Dr. Roland Neff, CEO of Acquest, said, “This collaboration is the first step as both parties explore the possibilities of conducting joint R&D that can result in new products and services that can be commercialised. We have a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory in Bangkok and also the largest privately-owned specialty human cell culturing facility in the country.”

Mr. Choy Hong Yang, Director of Salus, said, “At Salus, we use science and technology to provide services on disease detection, prevention and life-span improvement. This collaboration with Malaysian Genomics will enable us to leverage on their genetics knowledge and expertise to offer more products and services while the strategic cooperation is in keeping with our core value of joint innovation to offer new technologies to our customers.”

Ms. Songsuda Panich, Founder of Marine Group, said, “Skin Doctor, Slim Up and BioCell centres are always striving to provide the latest in skin and aesthetic science and technology for our customers. We look forward to collaborating with Malaysian Genomics and with Salus Healthcare on research and development involving cell regeneration products.”

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad: 0155 [BURSA: MGRC] [RIC: MGRC:KL] [BBG: MGRC:MK], http://www.mgrc.com.my/

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre to Offer Pioneering Holistic Renal Care via New Venture

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (Bursa: MGRC, 0155), a leading genomics and biopharmaceutical specialist, announced today that the Group is acquiring a 51% stake in Aquahealth Sdn Bhd, a kidney dialysis operator, from Rinani Renal Berhad.

En. Sasha Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics

Aquahealth is establishing a kidney dialysis centre in Gombak, Selangor, with the license to operate the centre owned by the Malaysia International Islamic Chamber of Commerce. With the acquisition of the stake, Malaysian Genomics, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, MGRC Healthcare Sdn Bhd, will now become the operator of the dialysis centre.

En. Sasha Nordin, Chief Executive Officer of Malaysian Genomics, said, “This will be the first of many centres across the country that will be driven by a personalised kidney care model integrating dialysis with nutrition management, lifestyle changes, and even genetic testing of patients and their immediate family members. This pioneering approach will focus on bringing innovations in service delivery to improve the lives of patients with chronic kidney disease.”

“Expanding downstream to healthcare services, through our subsidiary MGRC Healthcare, is an important step in Malaysian Genomics’ growth as a diversified specialist healthcare group. The acquisition of the Aquahealth stake is part of our Group’s strategy to secure a diverse portfolio of earnings accretive assets across Southeast Asia that will, in turn, leverage and benefit from our genomics and biopharmaceutical knowledge and experience developed over the past 18 years.”

According to the Ministry of Health’s Management of Chronic Kidney Disease report, the number of Malaysians with kidney disease is projected to increase significantly in the future mainly due to the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension and an aging population[1]. At 13.2% per year, Malaysia has the second highest annual growth rate of chronic kidney disease in the world[2].

Dato’ Dr. Suhaini Kadiman, Chairman of Malaysia International Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Director of Clinical Research at Institute Jantung Negara added, “Thousands of kidney patients are on waiting lists for dialysis treatment and new centres are urgently needed. We welcome MGRC Healthcare’s interest to collaborate with us to operate the centre in Gombak, and we look forward to the innovations they will contribute to improve the lives of kidney dialysis patients.”

Recently, Minister of Health YB Tuan Khairy Jamaluddin noted that there were over 40,000 kidney patients in Malaysia, with over 8,000 new patients diagnosed annually since 2018[3].

[1] https://tinyurl.com/42jexjsk
[2] https://tinyurl.com/2cmkmzkz
[3] https://tinyurl.com/mr3mkfmk

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad: 0155 [BURSA: MGRC] [RIC: MGRC:KL] [BBG: MGRC:MK], http://www.mgrc.com.my/

Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad Emerges as Substantial Shareholder in Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad

Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Berhad (“MGRC” or “the Group”), a leading genomics and biopharmaceutical specialist, is pleased to announce the entry of a new substantial shareholder, Bintai Kinden Corporation Berhad (“Bintai Kinden”), a specialist in mechanical and electrical engineering services to the construction sector, in the Group.

Bintai Kinden now has an effective shareholding of 5.03% stake in MGRC, following the acquisition of 6.25 million shares by Bintai Trading Sdn. Bhd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bintai Kinden, on 17 February 2022.

Following the acquisition, Encik Noor Azri bin Dato’ Sri Noor Azerai (“Azri Azerai”), who was redesignated as an Executive Director of MGRC effective from 16 February 2022, will oversee the business development, human resources and finance functions of the Group. Azri Azerai has relinquished his role as Deputy Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of Bintai Kinden after taking up the new role in MGRC, but will remain on the Board of Bintai Kinden as an Executive Director.

Azri Azerai, who was appointed to Bintai Kinden’s Board in July 2021 as an Executive Director, and subsequently redesignated as the Deputy CEO, has successfully turned Bintai Kinden’s earnings black since the first quarter of FY2022.

Speaking on his new role in MGRC, Azri Azerai said, “There are synergies in both companies that we intend to harness as Bintai Kinden diversified into the healthcare sector through the acquisition of Johnson Medical International Sdn. Bhd. (“JMI”) in November 2021. We see plenty of opportunities that MGRC and Bintai Kinden can jointly enter into and leverage each other’s strengths.”

JMI specialises in medical facility development and construction projects where it provides medical engineering solutions such as operating theatres, critical care units and medical gas delivery systems. JMI is also a trader of medical equipment and supplies.

“We want both MGRC and Bintai Kinden to reap the benefits of working together. As I sit on the Boards of both companies, we will have better coordination and focus on where both companies can seek opportunities to grow as there is great potential for both.”