KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (MGRC) has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) and Rinani Genotec Sdn Bhd (RGSB) to collaborate on research and development (R&D) in genetics and regenerative and alternative medicines.
Under the LoI, MGRC and RGSB will strengthen the teaching and research activities of the UMS Faculty of Science and Natural Resources undergraduate programme.
MGRC chairman Datuk Seri Dr Chen Chaw Min said the company was pleased to assist UMS undergraduates to ensure they better understand their field of study.
"This is also in support of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 launched recently, focusing on agriculture and food security, healthcare and wellbeing, as well as industrial and the circular economy," he said in a statement.
The company noted that the cooperation would enable the exchange of research resources and ideas to enhance the quality of research at UMS and create opportunities for students from the Faculty of Science and Natural Resources to serve their internship at either MGRC or RGSB.
The signing of the LoI was followed by UMS' visit to MGRC's Biosafety Level 2 cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Practice)-certified laboratory, which is used for the production of cell therapies, including CAR T-cell therapies for various cancers.
"UMS is actively engaged in research as well as teaching activities, and the involvement of industry is crucial in ensuring the relevance of such activities conducted at the university," said the faculty's dean Professor Dr Jualang Azlan Gansau.