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The Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) has unveiled Bio-XCell at the BIO International Convention in Chicago held at McCormick place, Chicago, Illinois, from 3 – 6 May 2010.
Bio-XCell is a premier custom-built biotechnology ecosystem and park built around targeted strategic anchor tenants in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor. This joint-venture initiative between Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) and UEM Land Berhad is developed to fuel the industry's growth through industrial, healthcare biotechnology manufacturing and R&D.
The global launch at BIO International Convention in Chicago was a platform to create awareness by giving an indepth perspective to potential investors on Malaysia's biotechnology industry and was the ideal avenue to find and form strategic alliances with the right companies to rope in suitable partners to come on board the initiative, which is expected to begin operations by 2012.
An entourage of 70 delegates with extensive biotechnology background were sent to the convention to promote the nation's biotechnology prospects to accelerate the commercialisation of biotechnology in Malaysia.
"We have aggressive goals for this year's event. Our long-term goal is to utilize this industry to speed Malaysia's economic development, boost wealth creation and offer the benefits of biotechnology to our society," said Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, Chief Executive Officer of BiotechCorp.
Bio-XCell has successfully gained the interest of three international biotechnology companies. Glycos Biotechnology Inc of the United States, MGM Ingredients AG of Switzerland and an India-based pharmaceutical company have come on board as mini-anchors for the biotechnology ecosystem in Iskandar Malaysia, Johor. Each mini-anchor will occupy between two and three acres in the ecosystem.
"The companies would collectively bring about a RM300 million investment into the ecosystem," said Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood.
Datuk Iskandar also stated that the participation of these companies across the industrial, pharmaceutical and agriculture sectors set a good start for the ecosystem as their business activities support Bio-XCell's commitment to promote environmental, food and health sustainability.
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