Health biotechnology development in Malaysia : targeting local and global health needs through health technology

Abstract

Health biotechnology is one of the key knowledge-based industries and enabler that can be applied to address many health problems. It contributes significantly to the country’s economy by creating revenues, investments and job opportunities. The aim of this study was to explore the capabilities and resources of the Malaysian health biotechnology industry, which can be leveraged to address local and global health needs, while ensuring economic benefits to the country. In this study, case study approach was applied and mixed methods were used to obtain comprehensive and integrated information. A total of 27 leaders of public and private sectors were interviewed face-to-face and a survey was done among 16 biotechnology companies. Two separate focus group discussions were conducted among a total of 12 representatives from public sectors and private biotechnology companies. A systematic analysis was done on Malaysian health innovation system and best practices were identified through comparative analysis with other countries. All the information were triangulated and analyzed in terms of key themes including innovation system and actors, challenges, niche areas, funding, human capital, success stories and reasons for success. The results showed that although Malaysia has the necessary policies/regulations and various agencies are in place, however, there are lack of implementations and huge gap between sectors in terms of information flow, knowledge dissemination, technology transmission and resource sharing such as human capital and facilities. There is no conducive innovative eco-system for the development of the health biotechnology, in particular, for the local biotech startups. Major push factors were bureaucracy in procurement procedures, unclear regulatory pathway, shortage of skilled human resource and insufficient funding that limit the growth of private sector. There were best practices in various countries in terms of innovation system, enforcement and implementation of government policies and regulatory practices. However, there is no one system can fit all. Thus, Malaysia has to form its unique innovation system to exploit its resources to build sustainable health biotechnology industry and to address the local health needs as well as contribute towards the country’s economy. In conclusion, a number of strategies should be considered to build a sustainable health biotechnology industry in Malaysia. First, basic science and fundamental research should be the priority to build innovation driven, knowledge-base industry. Secondly, niche areas should be identified clearly based on the local health needs and prioritized in terms of R&D, funding and human capital development. Thirdly, an independent agency should be set up to support and serve as one-stop center exclusively for health biotechnology companies.