JOHOR BARU: The Johor government is mulling the creation of Pharmapolis – a biotechnology-based medical research and medicine manufacturing hub.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said Pharmapolis, which will be modelled after the Osong Bio-Technopolis in South Korea, is one of the proposals in the state government's roadmap to develop the bio-medical sector in a big way.
He said it is the state government's aim for the biotechnology sector to contribute to sustaining Johor's economic growth, while benefiting its people.
Khaled said the sector has huge potential in Johor, as the state possesses rich natural biodiversity.
"Similar to the development of a dedicated industrial area in Sedenak for the information technology and creative sectors, and the Pengerang hub dedicated to the oil and gas sector, the plan for a dedicated area for the biomedical sector could become a reality if the state government agrees on this roadmap.
"This area will be earmarked for health research and development, health services and manufacturing of medicine and medical equipment," said Khaled after launching the Johor International Bioeconomy Conference at the Persada Johor International Convention Centre here today.
Also present were state Education, Information and Cooperatives Development Committee chairman Datuk Md Jais Sarday and Johor Biotechnology and Biodiversity Corporation (J-Biotech) chief executive officer Asman Shah Abd Rahman.
The conference saw three memorandums of understanding (MoUs) signed between J-Biotech and three entities for projects in the fields of biotechnology.
One of the projects, which involves South Korean government agency KBIO Health, aims to develop a biomedical cluster in Johor, which will take advantage of the state’s conducive ecosystem and existing components.
The other two MoUs were with the JK Medical group, to develop a wellness health centre in Cahaya Baru; and with Pasir Gudang and Rimbunan Serantau Sdn Bhd to commercialise, distribute and market packaging that uses biodegradable and biocompost materials.