MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 89 Be persistent. Sometimes you don’t reach your goal at the first try mediven.com.my Dr Lim Li Sze Operations Director and Co-founder Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Mediven®) is proud to say that their products are now found in all government hospitals, and are in use by labs and clinics all across Malaysia. All major private pharmacies in the country now carry their products, and the Mediven® brand is well known by the public. They are also distributing to over 20 countries. Of course, they have had to face many hurdles in order to realise this dream. Dr Lim Li Sze, Operations Director and co-founder says that coming up with a prototype is only the beginning step in seeing a product reach a patient. There are many trials and quality management stipulations to go through first. “We basically had to learn and build everything from scratch. But it is also thanks to these guidelines that we are able to come up with good quality products that are accepted locally and internationally. Mediven® products now have the European CE Mark, as well as Malaysia’s Medical Device Act (MDA) registration.” Mediven® was originally formed by Md Ariff Md Ismail, Dr Sidney Yee and Dr Lim; all of whom are now directors in the company. All three had previously worked in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) with the commercialisation of technologies developed DREAM-DRIVEN INNOVATION
90 30 TECHNO DREAMS there. With their combined experience and passion, they set out on the path to build a company that they could call their own. In those early days, they licensed technologies from research institutions and universities, and applied for local grants. Over time, the company hired local talent and invested in building labs and production facilities to develop their own products. Even from young, Dr Lim has always liked challenges. Never taking no for an answer, she has always had positive attitude, dreaming of different ways to find the solution to any problem. From her experiences on Mediven®’s journey, she has gained the following insights. “Learn from your customers and competitors and keep innovating.” “Always give something back to society as what goes around, comes around.” “You must have the confidence that you are able to make a change for the better as you have built a solid platform and the production line, consultation for product development, marketing and raw materials for production.” MEDIVEN received CRDF 2 funding in 2019 to commercialise Medical Diagnostic Products for Infectious Diseases under. The Company currently manufactures and markets two (2) products range which are GenoAmp® and ProDetect®. The Company also offers a range of comprehensive research and development (“R&D”) services for in vitro diagnostics (“IVD”) such as development of PCR primers, aptamer and antibodies, bioengineering development, product validation and training. The support from MTDC was valuable in helping Mediven® overcome various regulatory hurdles. MTDC’s knowledge helped to fill in the gaps for Mediven® and they were able to expand their network. Following this assistance, they expanded into some 18 more countries. Dr Lim observes, “The funding does not only benefit one company. It has allowed a whole network and community to blossom.” Opportunities come in different forms. Sometimes you need to be able to think out of the box to see opportunities from different angles network along the years to bring new dreams through. “ It is this attitude that no doubt has ensured that Mediven® has leapt every hurdle placed in its path as Dr Lim and her co-founders have seen their dream become a reality; bringing quality Malaysian products to everyone, both here and abroad. In 2018, Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. was ready to look at the commercialisation of their products. They needed funding and found MTDC’s CRDF application form online. “We were looking to expand our test menu and setting up of our manufacturing line,” recalls Dr Lim Li Sze (Operations Director and Co-founder), “MTDC helped us by giving funding to set up
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 91 GOVERNMENT/ PRIVATE OTHERS HOSPITALS CLINICS LABORATORIES 2021 - COMMERCIALISATION ACHIEVEMENT AWARD BY THE MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION MALAYSIA 2018 - ERNST & YOUNG FOR THE EY ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD IN THE WOMEN’S CATEGORY 2016 - FROST & SULLIVAN ENTREPRENEURIAL COMPANY OF THE YEAR 18 CE-IVD CERTIFIED GENOAMP™ KITS 32 CE-IVD CERTIFIED PRODETECT™ IMMUNOASSAYS INSTITUTE PHARMACY COMPANY DISTRIBUTORS MARTS 11DIAGNOSTIC KITS CO-FOUNDERS 120 TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO 5% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 95% GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 18 MALAYSIA THAILAND MYANMAR INDIA SAUDI ARABIA BELGIUM ROMANIA POLAND KAZAKHSTAN MEXICO SOUTH AFRICA INDONESIA VIETNAM HONG KONG TAIWAN LAOS CAMBODIA PHILIPPINES JUST 1 DROP OF BLOOD NEEDED FOR SCREENING OF DENGUE MULTIPLEX MOLECULAR ASSAY FOR SIMULTANEOUS DISEASES DETECTION 3 PATENTS IP ACHIEVEMENTS DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL CERTIFICATIONS SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGY TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Medical Innovation Ventures Sdn. Bhd. (Mediven®) is a leading molecular diagnostics provider in Malaysia, delivering fast, flexible, reliable and intelligent solutions with its GenoAmp® and ProDetect® series of products. Strong collaborative ties with research institutions, both locally and abroad, have helped Mediven® build a strong reputation for the design, development and manufacture of innovative diagnostic products for infectious dis eases. GenoAmp® is a real-time molecular diagnostic assay that allows simultaneous detection of multiple infecting pathogen RNA or DNA in a single reaction. ProDetect® is a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic test, which can be easily handled without sophisticated instruments. Both products are made locally with their molecular assay product range (GenoAmp®) allowing simultaneous detection of multiple infecting pathogens in a single reaction. This means that screening different strains or different diseases with similar symptoms can be done in one reaction. This will be beneficial to the users as they will save on the cost and time to run diagnostic assays. For the ProDetect® range, Mediven® tests have been optimised to be carried out through simple steps and priced competitively. As Mediven® have developed their products in-house, they provide the option for customers to modify existing products to meet their requirements or needs. This includes detection of strains that are more specific to certain regions. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 91
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 93 nitiumtech.com Don’t dream if you can’t commit. It will hunt you Ever since childhood, Dr Muhammad Asif Ahmad Khushaini was inspired to create and innovate. However, despite this he was not considering a career in business. He recalls how “being a businessman often rubbed me the wrong way. Back then, my understanding of the motive of business was that it was purely for monetary gain. I want to be a missionary rather than a mercenary.” Yet when he heard the word ‘technopreneurship’ in university, something resonated with him. Following his graduation, Dr Asif was surrounded by people who encouraged him to seek a secure and stable profession, but there were bigger things in his mind. Dr Asif had become concerned about how Malaysia was importing more than 90% of its medical devices, instruments, and equipment, despite the country having thousands of professionals in science and engineering. It was around this time that Dr Asif met with Mohd Zul Iman Mohd Yusuf, and later Dato’ Ir Noor Azmi Jaafar, who brought investment and his 30 years of experience in the manufacturing industry. Together they formed Nitium, and a long and arduous journey began. Their mission was to be one of the first non-spinoff deep-tech medical device startups in Malaysia. No mean feat at the time. And added to this were the challenges of developing a product based on a new scientific discovery to bring forth a high-risk medical device. Dr Muhammad Asif Ahmad Khushaini Chief Executive Officer Nitium Technology Sdn. Bhd. DREAMS ON A MISSION
94 30 TECHNO DREAMS For Dr Asif, it was an uphill struggle of testing, validation, and trials, with their efforts being judged in terms of sales and revenue. “Why do you do this complicated technology?” someone asked him, “It’s a lot easier to manufacture soap!” However, Dr Asif was encouraged by Breegi Scientific, a medical device firm located in Boston. USA. They had spent over 10 years developing their first product. Hearing this affirmed Asif in his own long term mission. Finally, Nitium reached their goal. The company became the first producer of nickel-titanium (nitinol) alloy in South East Asia and now they utilise their state-of-the-art metal injection moulding to produce, at low cost, intricately shaped porous nitinol parts suitable for the medical and aerospace industries. Nitium’s hard work and dedication have been rewarded. The company obtained ISO 13485 certification, which has particularly the surgical kit. From this support, Nitium developed and clinically used the world’s first porous nitinol dental implant system. Its vinyl polysiloxane dental impression materials were the first manufactured in Malaysia and are now generating revenue for the company. Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), four (4) advanced materials, namely graphene, nitinol, rare earth, and microcystalline cellulose, were selected as mission-based projects (MBP), and four companies (referred to as “Champion”) were given tasks by the government to lead and spearhead the industry that focuses on these materials, including catalysing the local ecosystems, innovation, and talent development. In relation to this, Nitium has been chosen as a champion for MBP Nitinol. The company aims to develop a mature nitinol sector that includes upstream, midstream, and downstream elements over the course of seven years. You must be persistent, have a passion for scientific research, and be motivated to contribute to a better future if you engage in deep tech helped to establish Nitium Technology officially and formally as a medical device company. In 2014, Dr Asif and his co-founder, Mohd Zul Iman Mohd Yusuf, were selected to join the UiTM-MTDC Symbiosis Programme, during which they received intensive technopreneurship training. It was out of this training that Nitium was formed. Seven years later, Nitium received funding from MTDC via the National Technology & Innovation Sandbox (NTIS). This funding was primarily intended to support the development of Nitium’s dental implant systems,
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 95 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Nitium Technology Sdn. Bhd. has successfully developed the world’s first porous nickel-titanium alloy (nitinol) dental implant, which is currently undergoing multi-centre clinical trials. Their product is the first in the world that offers threaded and perforated characteristics on a single implant, combining better osseointegration and osseoincorporation. The porous nitinol used in the implant closely mimics the mechanical properties of human bone, which results in a safer, more secure and more natural dental implant, making it highly valued by both dental practitioners and end users. Another key innovation is the porous structure, which not only results in increased osseoincorporation, but also a 60% reduction in manufacturing costs. This places Nitium as a highly competitive brand in the dental implant market. Nitium’s implants have now been approved by the ethics and regulatory bodies, allowing them to be used in humans for a clinical investigation purpose. With their need for extremely tight tolerances and having complex geometries, dental implants are widely perceived as a benchmark for any new implant technology. Porous nitinol helps to enhance bone-implant integration to an unprecedented degree, while having almost identical mechanical properties to human bone. Furthermore, the porous structure allows for ingrowth of the bone into the implant surface. Under the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (NIMP 2030), four (4) advanced materials, namely graphene, nitinol, rare earth, and microcystalline cellulose, were selected as mission-based projects (MBP), and four companies (referred to as “Champion”) were given tasks by the government to lead and spearhead the industry that focuses on these materials, including catalysing the local ecosystems, innovation, and talent development. In relation to this, Nitium Technology Sdn. Bhd. has been chosen as a champion for MBP Nitinol. The company aims to develop a mature nitinol sector that includes upstream, midstream, and downstream elements over the course of seven years. • NEW AWARDS - GOLD MEDAL AWARD AT 4TH AND 5TH INTERNATIONAL INVENTION & INNOVATION IN DENTISTRY (IIIDENTEX) (2022 AND 2023) • 2022 - GOLD MEDAL AWARD - 4TH INTERNATIONAL INVENTION & INNOVATION IN DENTISTRY (IIIDENTEX2022), MALAYSIA • 2021 - MEDTECH INNOVATOR’S 2021 TOP 20 ASIA PACIFIC STARTUPS - MEDTECH INNOVATOR, LOS ANGELES/SINGAPORE • 2020 - SECOND PLACE AT ASIAN ENTREPRENEURSHIPS AWARD (AEA2020) - THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, JAPAN EXTERNAL TRADE ORGANIZATION (JETRO), JAPAN • 2019 -SPECIAL AWARD, GOLD MEDAL AWARD - THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION ON INVENTIONS (PECIPTA2019), MALAYSIA • 2018 - WORLD'S TOP 40 STARTUPS K-STARTUP GRAND CHALLENGE – MINISTRY of SME AND STARTUPS, SOUTH KOREA • 2017 - GOLD MEDAL, INTERNATIONAL INVENTION, INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY (ITEX), MALAYSIA • 2017 - GOLD MEDAL, THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXPOSITION ON INVENTIONS (PECIPTA2017), MALAYSIA • 2017 - SPECIAL AWARD, INTERNATIONALE FACHMESSE "IDEEN-ERFINDUNGEN-NEUHEITEN" (IENA2017), GERMANY 6 CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS 8 YEARS IN BUSINESS MEDICAL DEVICES AND FROM TO ADVANCED MATERIALS PARTS CLINICAL TRIAL STATISTICS NITINOL PRODUCER PATIENTS 105 DENTISTS 11 FIRST PRE-MARKET DENTAL IMPLANT CLINICAL TRIAL IN SOUTHEAST ASIA PATENTS FILED • 2 MALAYSIA • 1 SOUTH KOREA 3 IPs CENTRES 3(DENTAL SCHOOLS) ACHIEVEMENTS SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGY st 1 IN SOUTH EAST ASIA WORLD POROUS NITINOL DENTAL IMPLANT SYSTEM DEVELOPER IN THE POTENTIAL MARKET COUNTRIES 6 THAILAND VIETNAM SOUTH KOREA JAPAN MALAYSIA INDONESIA MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 95
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 97 recovegroup.com We Malaysians need to do more than just trade. We need to design, invent and produce, become IP owners Ir. Ts. Abdul Rahman Bahasa has always been fascinated by how machines work. He remembers sitting for hours in front of the fully automatic washing machine that his father bought, wondering how it could do what it did. Then, there was his uncle, an electrical engineering professor, whom he held in great awe, being someone who became instrumental in moulding his interest and ambition in the same field. Ir. Abdul Rahman graduated in 2008 from Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) with a degree in electrical engineering, soon joining the oil and gas industry where he served for eight years. Throughout his career in the industry, Ir. Abdul Rahman was expected to travel a lot. During his journeys, he had numerous opportunities to view a range of inventions and technologies. He was not impressed with the inventions per se, because the underlying principles, that is the science behind them, were to him basically the same. However, what did impress him was the ability of inventors to connect together the fundamental dots and so turn them into market-accepted products. Inspired to do the same, Ir. Abdul Rahman joined with a friend from university, another electrical engineer, and together they founded Recove Group Sdn. Bhd.. This was in 2016. ‘We chose the name ‘recove’ from the word ‘recovery’,’ explains Ir. Abdul Rahman, ‘The oil and gas sector was at that time facing a worldwide slump. It was time to explore new things as a way to Ir. Ts. Abdul Rahman Bahasa Chief Executive Officer Recove Group Sdn. Bhd. DREAMING OF DECODING THE YELLOW
98 30 TECHNO DREAMS recover. We also wanted to strengthen our engineering skills, to bring more meaning to the word ‘engineer’.’ The first thing Recove wanted to do was to start an e-bike sharing business, following a model the founders had observed in Europe. They studied the market, made some comparisons, did some validations, implemented duediligence, and came to the realisation that the mindset in Malaysia, plus the weather, may not be suitable for such a venture. Recove had to now think of something else to do, and fast. At the time, the annual Malaysian Commercialisation Year (MCY) Summit was held in Kuala Lumpur. Ir. Abdul Rahman and his co-founder attended the event in hope of finding ideas, which led them to take part in a ‘business clinic’ session. The officer attending to them happened to be from MTDC, and they talked about technology transfer and R&D commercialisation, which was a subject quite foreign to them. Not long after MCY, they participated in MTDC’s Road2Growth event as they followed their desire to understand more. Road2Growth was a great inspiration to They acquired the technology in 2020, bringing their brains together to ensure their invention reached a marketacceptable level. They subjected it through the rigorous regulatory compliance process, applying a medical perspective into the design, and finally came out with NEORUBIN®️. A lot had to be invested to turn that crude black box of wires and meters into an easyto-use product. “We are grateful to MTDC for providing us with support through the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) together with value-added services which include product positioning, design, branding and marketing.” ‘When we first started to promote NEORUBIN®️, it was very difficult,’ Ir Abdul Rahman reminisces, ‘The medical fraternity is generally known as riskaverse. They are wary of newcomers and locally-developed products. This is understandable, as doctors do not want to subject their patients to any unnecessary risks. To counter this, I spent two years on developing my personal branding. I needed the doctors to see me, the CEO of Recove, as someone who is genuine, trustworthy and competent.’ It’s crucial to thoroughly understand the market before venturing into it them, and they decided then and there to begin scouting for technologies from universities; particularly their alma mater, UTHM. At UTHM they came across a noninvasive jaundice meter, a medical device to measure bilirubin in the blood. At the time, it only appeared to be a black box of wires and meters, very crude in form and function, but even at this point of demonstration it did the job quite well. This was exactly what Recove was looking for; an opportunity to connect fundamental dots and productise an engineering proof-of-concept. Ir. Abdul Rahman was well aware that the entry barrier for medical device products is high, due to the need for stringent safety and the exacting regulatory requirements. However, they also knew that once they had crossed this barrier, they would find themselves in a market with minimal competition.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 99 The first order they received was from a private clinic in Muar. This was the break they needed. Since then, NEORUBIN®️ has been well accepted by both private and public clinics, and hospitals in Malaysia. There has also been an overwhelming response received from Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and the Philippines. ‘Isn’t it amazing that this Malaysian medical device, an R&D output from the public sector, developed by a local company, is now being prepared for export?’ Ir. Abdul Rahman smiles, with well-deserved pride. Through the success of NEORUBIN®️, Recove has established quite a reputation for itself. They are now approached by other universities who seek Recove’s technical expertise to also turn their inventions into products. ‘This is what we aspired to do when we established Recove. To bring more meaning to the word ‘engineering’, to build on fundamentals, to connect the dots and make something good great.’ TECHNOLOGY FOCUS NEORUBIN®️ Non-Invasive Jaundice Meter is a handheld configured medical device. It is relatively small and ergonomically designed to allow healthcare personnel to measure the concentration of bilirubin in neonate’s blood without having to take blood samples. The LCD on the device displays the bilirubin measurement value in three seconds. With NEORUBIN®️, medical health facilities have been able to reduce their man-hours, use of needles and capillary tubes, all of which translates to a reduction in the overall operational cost. • 2023 - AWARDED MALAYSIA BEST EMPLOYER BRAND AWARDS BY WORLD HRD CONGRESS. • SME100 AWARDS 2021 FAST MOVING COMPANIES. 6 CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS 8 YEARS IN BUSINESS MEDICAL DEVICES AND FROM TO ADVANCED MATERIALS PARTS 1 APPROVED PATENT 8 PATENTS PENDING 3 TRADEMARKS IPs ACHIEVEMENTS CERTIFICATIONS WHY CLINICAL TRIAL DATA SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGY Sensitivity 99.4% Positive Predictive Value (PPV) 96.7% Accuracy 96.2% HIGH ACCURACY THAT PAINLESS st MALAYSIAN COMPANY HOME GROWN HIGH TECH NON-INVASIVE JAUNDICE METER MEDICAL DEVICE INNOVATES, MANUFACTURES AND SUCCESSFULLY COMMERCIALISE NEUROBIN® NEUROBIN®? >90% PAIN EASY 3 TO USE STEPS FAST RESULT WATERPROOF POUCH WITH HOOK WIRELESS PRINTER 3 INCLUDED SEC MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 99
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 101 We must encourage manufacturing, and not just trading, to ensure the nation grows its own technologies welfordmedical.com Wong Thean Fook remembers his father saying, “Use a small pen. Not the big pen.” This was his father’s way of saying that education is the most important thing in life. By ‘big pen’, he was in fact referring to the tool of the rubber tapper. And Thean Fook certainly remembers his mother doing the back-breaking work of a rubber tapper. Despite the obvious hardship of those days, he recalls his childhood with fondness, especially recalling those early morning lorry rides to the estates. The family later moved to Kepong, where his parents ran a newspaper vendor service. Even here, Thean Fook’s father emphasised the importance of getting the best education possible. So, despite having to deliver newspapers every day, Thean Fook made sure he excelled in his studies. At school, he also enjoyed acting and was even an RTM child presenter, payment from which helped to ease his family’s financial burdens. Still, Thean Fook always hoped he could give his mother greater financial support. Wong Thean Fook Chief Executive Officer Welford Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd. FAMILY DREAMS
102 30 TECHNO DREAMS As the best student at Methodist Boys School (MBS) Sentul, Thean Fook went on to Taiwan to study, using an air ticket that was sponsored by his grandmother. He remembers his 18-year-old self standing at Subang International Airport, reflecting on the sacrifices his family had made for him. Thereafter, the family saved every sen they could for his expenses, and his younger brother Wen Wei was charged with taking the ‘tabung’ around the family to collect every extra coin they had. Honouring that constant support and belief from his family, Thean Fook graduated in Electrical Engineering and went on to work for various multinational corporations, mainly in the medical line. He took an MBA in Commercial Finance and Commerce, which not only gave him a broader outlook on business, but enabled him to set up a successful trading company. how important such experiences can be for someone before they venture into setting up their own business. And yet, it was the constant encouragement from his father, his desire to make life easier for his mother, and his brother’s daily collection, that put Thean Sook into the places where he could gain those valuable learning opportunities. In late 2013, Welford Manufacturing received a Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) from MTDC for their Safety Infusion Set. These funds were key to automating the process of producing Safety Infusion Set with Airguard technology (100% Air Prevention technology). As a result, the product was successfully commercialised and the project completed in 2017. Through this help from MTDC, Welford Manufacturing managed to gain access to the medical markets of more than 20 countries, including UK, France and Every business has its challenges. Do not be afraid to make mistakes. Take calculated risks, but remember, business can be very cruel. Fortify yourself Eventually, Thean Fook and his brother, Wen Wei, established Welford Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. together. Thean Fook took on R&D, while Wen Wei focused on marketing and the two brothers built up a trusted name in the production of Intravenous Catheter (IVC). Now, 12 years later, with Welford Manufacturing established as a trusted name in IVC production, Thean Fook recognises how those times working with other companies provided him with an ‘invaluable education’. He talks about
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 103 Poland. With this market now open to their products, Welford Manufacturing have been able to augment their supply chain and so take full advantage of these international opportunities. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Welford Manufacturing (M) Sdn. Bhd. forms partnering relationships with various institutions for the advancement of better healthcare by supplying quality medical devices using the in-house resources of design, manufacturing and logistics. By following a close partnering principle, they deliver medical devices that are of excellent quality and consistently meet, if not exceed, the expectations of customers. Welford Manufacturing conducts injection and extrusion, together with the assembling processes, in a hygienic and certified cleanroom environment. The chemical bonding, precision heat treatment, and sterilisation processes are performed on devices that meet the ISO requirements, including the critical biocompatibility assessments. Their packaging process is tested using the stringent US ASTM methods, and further qualified by accelerated ageing tests, as well as real time tests, in compliance with the ISO standards. In this way, Welford Manufacturing guarantees the sterility and shelf life of all their devices. The company works with the best material suppliers and their design devices using the best available know-how. While implementing the highest quality standards in manufacturing, Welford Manufacturing actively exchanges expertise and ideas with the healthcare providers to promote the best clinical practices for all. Also, by listening to their customers’ requests and feedback, Welford Manufacturing consistently builds on its technical expertise and experience. R&D INVESTMENT 5 MILLION TOTAL PRODUCTS 200 SAFETY INFUSION SET WITH AIR PREVENTION TECHNOLOGY 100% ACCURACY FACILITIES 32,000 SQFT 98% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 2% THAILAND MYANMAR BANGLADESH SRI LANKA KENYA TANZANIA UGANDA PHILIPPINES HONG KONG UAE BAHRAIN NEPAL PAKISTAN OMAN ETHIOPIA SAUDI ARABIA UK MALTA MOROCCO NETHERLANDS AUSTRIA GREECE CYPRUS SYRIA JORDAN MALAYSIA INDONESIA SOUTH AFRICA AUSTRALIA MAURITIUS GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 31 DIGITAL HEALTHCARE 7 PROVIDER CO-FOUNDERS 130 TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO CERTIFICATIONS SKU 1 PATENTS PENDING IP MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 103
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 105 SUSTAINABILITY MOVEMENT steering through challenging currents
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 107 taiace.com Continuous learning, or seeking new technology knowledge, is vital for sustainability Isa bin Ismail Chairman Taiace Engineering Sdn. Bhd. DREAMING OF MORE Isa Ismail always dreamt of working for himself. His entrepreneurial spirit was kindled whilst at school in Alor Gajah, Melaka, where he managed his own corn farm, selling to customers around his village after school hours. Later, while studying industrial engineering at UTM, Isa set up a small but profitable business offering photocopying and binding services. With his student loan, Isa had acquired used secondhand photocopying machines, binding machines and an industrial guillotine. After graduation, he handed the flourishing business on to his younger brother. Another time, Isa dabbled in a dairy farm business. It did not take off, so he took a job with a computer manufacturing company in Melaka as a Process Engineer, paying off the loan he had taken for the failed dairy business. Isa then partnered a business venture in Subang Jaya fabricating metal products. When the company fell into financial difficulties, Isa bought the company’s equipment and set up Taiace Engineering. That was in 1996. With the dynamic speed of development in technology, Isa has had to keep Taiace ahead of the curve, asking the company directors the ‘What’s next?’ question for all their products and business.
108 30 TECHNO DREAMS Research and development has been a key factor in Taiace Engineering’s business sustainability, as they aim to remain relevant in the market. Therefore, Taiace allocates more than 5% of their revenue towards R&D activities. In 2005, Taiace moved to their own factory premises in Nilai, Negeri Sembilan. The factory was purchased with the profits gained from Taiace’s burgeoning manufacturing activities and expanding clientele. In 2007, the company ventured into Indonesia with a manufacturing plant in Bekasi, West Java under its flagship PT Taiace Indonesia. This outfit was eventually sold, but the company did continue their activities in Indonesia with the establishment of PT Green Solutions in 2015. Before this however, in 2011, Taiace saw an energy-saving solutions proposal accepted by the Skim Jejak Jaya Bumiputera programme, in just 2 years, MTDC further invested in the company via Business Expansion Fund (BEF) and Business Growth Fund (BGF). Such investments have enhanced the confidence of other financial institutions to increase their own funding to Taiace Engineering. In 2016, PT Green Solution Indonesia was awarded an EPC project by Pertubuhan Muhammadiyah Indonesia for their hospitals across the country. The funding received from MTDC has enabled the company to expand its activities in Indonesia and double up Taiace’s revenue. MTDC stepped in to enhance and stimulate Taiace Engineering’s telecommunication’s Site Infrastructure Module (SIM) and their Energy Efficiency business. They are now the main supplier for 4G and 5G DC Power Systems and Outdoor Storage Solutions for Maxis and Celcom. On top of this, their Energy Efficiency business is now Be prepared to move into another Blue Ocean. This can only be done by enhancing or changing your products according to the market’s current and future demand which meant that the company was appointed to execute the Energy Performance Contract (EPC) project with Politeknik Malaysia. This success opened up numerous opportunities in the local buildings sector in Malaysia and also abroad. What’s next, Isa? Taiace Engineering initially approached MTDC in 2008 and was awarded a Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) in 2009. When Taiace Engineering reached their 3-year revenue forecast
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 109 expanding in Indonesia, having secured a 10-year energy saving contract with 6 hospitals, as well as being awarded another contract for the Flood Mitigation System with a hospital in Jakarta. Isa says, “MTDC’s funding has enabled us to set a strong footing in Indonesia. We now foresee a huge market potential for more than 100 hospitals.” TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Taiace Engineering Sdn. Bhd. was established in July 1996 by Isa Ismail and Hairudin Md. Noh. At its inception, Taiace Engineering was a takeover from a sheet metal fabrication and metal stamping company. As a sheet metal component manufacturer, Taiace supported local automotive and electric equipment manufacturers that were OEMs and ODMs. After 27 years, there are now four companies within the Group: Taiace Engineering Sdn. Bhd., Taiace Energy Services Sdn. Bhd., PT Green Solutions Indonesia and Adamas Energy Sdn. Bhd. Continued and focused investments in R&D have ensured Taiace’s strengths in industrial manufacturing, services and solutions for telecommunications, power distribution, oil and gas, and green technology, as well as commercial furniture sectors. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 109 INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 27 CO-FOUNDERS 100 ENERGY SAVING SOLUTIONS PROVIDER USA SWEDEN INDIA PAKISTAN THAILAND VIETNAM SOUTH KOREA PHILIPPINES MALDIVES MALAYSIA INDONESIA AUSTRALIA SINGAPORE ACHIEVEMENTS GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 13 SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGIES YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO TEAM MEMBERS Wat er Level Wat er Level WEB Server INTEGRATED SMART POLE FLOOD MITIGATION SYSTEM 5% 95% ENERGY EFFICIENCY 70 6 8 4 MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 109
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 111 I don’t believe there is a global plastics pollution problem, but rather there is a global plastics ignorance problem. It is a substance with many hidden values henghiap.com You could say it began when Kian Hoe’s father bought a truck, so that the family could make money by collecting recyclables, but this in itself was a renewed dream. After his grandfather’s business had crashed, Kian Hoe’s parents made plans to move on from Johor and start a new life in Sabah. Kian Hoe’s father used the family savings to purchase a ticket for the crossing, but before their big day a fire destroyed the ship, and it sank with their dreams. Then, they made as much money as they could from recycling, Kian Hoe’s parents were bent on seeing all their children receive a good education. And, with their constant support and his diligent studies, Kian Hoe was included in the President’s List for a full scholarship, enabling him to study Mechanical Engineering at the University of Oklahoma, USA. It was here his professor said, “God has hidden many treasures in nature. It is up to you to manipulate them, to harness the gifts of nature.” This struck a chord with Kian Hoe and stuck with him for many years. When he graduated, the family business was thriving, yet Kian Hoe wanted to find his own niche. He therefore took an MBA in International Business via a Fulbright scholarship. Suitably armed, Kian Hoe now turned his attention to the recycling industry and was dismayed to discover how fragmented it was. There were no industry standards and no value-added aspects. Seah Kian Hoe Chief Executive Officer Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. RENEWABLE DREAMS
112 30 TECHNO DREAMS Driven to see logistical and labour costs significantly reduced, Kian Hoe set up Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. (HHI), yet he quickly discovered that to keep ahead of the competition required continual innovation. “We would constantly disrupt ourselves,” he recalls, “by investing in the next disruptive technology to complement our existing model.” Kian Hoe saw the continuing lack of technology and machinery needed to bridge the fragmentation within the industry. “We decided to develop our own technology and design our own machinery to streamline the operation. We successfully developed an integrated technology and this facilitated the penetration into the European market.” From those early days of seeing his parents recycling about their neighbourhood, Kien Hoe has now seen over 70% of HHI’s output exported to 39 different countries. With more than MTDC provided HHI with the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) grant in 2006 to commercialise plastic scrap into smart plastics which can be utilised for a range of applications, including Automotive, Home Appliances and Construction among others. Another round of CRDF was awarded in 2013 to commercialise New Oil from plastic waste. In addition to this practical support, Kian Hoe recognises the continual mentorship, “and a little bit of the constant nagging”, given by MTDC to help HHI keep on the right path and continue to move forward. “MTDC has mentored me on execution, marketing and product validation.” It is thanks to this all-round support that HHI has become the first company in the world to receive Ocean Bound Plastic (OBP) certification. Those early years trained me to be pragmatic and creative to extract intrinsic value from recyclables 10 years’ experience of plastics reengineering, producing smart plastics material from plastics scrap, Seah Kian Hoe is the first SE Asian representative on the Plastics Committee of the Belgium-based Bureau of International Recycling. MTDC’s association with Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. (HHI) began when Seah Kian Hoe attended a seminar, after which he spoke with a member of the MTDC team. Kian Hoe shared HHI’s integrated strategy model with some uncertainty, but the MTDC officer could see its potential. Now Kian Hoe refers to MTDC as HHI’s ‘first believer’.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 113 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Heng Hiap Industries Sdn. Bhd. (HHI) is a fully integrated Malaysian recycling company, strategically located in Johor Bahru. The company believes in the value of scrap as a renewable resource. Since 2002, it has been at the forefront of developing innovative recycling technologies. A key feature of HHI’s groundbreaking recycling technologies is the transformation of plastic scrap into Smart Plastics. In this form, the renewed plastics are repurposed for highlyspecialised niche applications. Their unique features enable the customisation of colour and of properties such as fire retardant or anti-bacterial properties, as well as reduced cycle times. HHI is certified with REACH compliance and with ISO9001:2008 under the independent European Certification, and they have successfully obtained the InnoCERT with A rating. HHI was also awarded with the Enterprise 50 in December 2010, and, in 2011, achieved the Gold Category at the International Quality Summit in New York, USA. HHI’s Smart Factory aims to be self-sustainable, creating coal and diesel or internal use from plastics and already removes 30% from their running costs. And HHI makes further cost savings through their harvested rainwater. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 113 70% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 30% ■ 2021 - MID-TIER COMPANIES (MTCS) CEO SUMMIT ■ 2020 - MALAYSIA SMART WASTE SOLUTIONS TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AWARD ■ BEST PRACTICES AWARDS ■ 2020 - MALAYSIA SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT AWARD ■ UNITED-NATIONS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOAL (UNSDG) NO.12: RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION UK NETHERLANDS DENMARK POLAND SAUDI ARABIA NORWAY SWEDEN GERMANY GREECE SLOVAKIA FRANCE ITALY TURKEY SPAIN LUXEMBORG AUSTRIA BANGLADESH UAE THAILAND MYANMAR SRI LANKA KENYA VIETNAM TAIWAN JAPAN SOUTH KOREA CHINA HONG KONG PHILIPPINES MALAYSIA SINGAPORE INDONESIA AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND USA PERU BRAZIL 4 TRADEMARKS 18 PATENTS FILED 22 IPs GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 39 21 FOUNDER 137 TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO PLASTIC RECYCLING ACHIEVEMENTS CERTIFICATIONS TO RECEIVE OCEAN BOUND PLASTIC OBP CERTIFICATION IN THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY TO CREATE THE FIRST CERTIFIED OCEAN BOUND CIRCULAR POLYMERS PRODUCED THROUGH THE PYROLYSIS PROCESS st 1 COMPANY IN THE WORLD COLLABORATES WITH A GLOBAL LEADER MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 113
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 115 If you have the fire in the belly, you will succeed dragonpak.com Jimmy Ong Managing Director Dragonpak Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. Managing Director, Jimmy Ong, had a burning desire to make money the day he realised its value. During secondary school, he would refurbish and recondition used bicycles for his classmates and friends as a way to make some money. This was just the start of his enterprising ventures and, after various stints of salaried employment, Jimmy used the experience he had gained to set up his first company, Dragonpak. Established in 1991 with three workers, Dragonpak manufactures disposable plastic packaging products, including biodegradable grocery bags, carrier bags, bin liners, thin wall microwavable containers and food utensils. To overcome their early financial challenges, Jimmy’s reached back to the days of his youth and took the novel path of purchasing scrap parts. These he refurbished and modified, selling the equipment now at a low cost, offering low conversion prices. This strategy allowed him to obtain sub-contractor jobs from his customers, where they supplied him with materials. KEEPING THE DREAM AFLAME
116 30 TECHNO DREAMS “With my products quality and reliability, I managed to gain more jobs and create the opportunity to know more customers. From there, we improved our financial status and obtained a credit facility from the banks.” Now on its feet, Dragonpak has become actively involved in trading and OEM, even with their own brand. Their products have reached Europe, Australia, America, and the Middle East, and supply many retail facilities, from hypermarkets to wet markets. Such success only fuelled Jimmy’s ingenuity, constantly working to keep Dragonpak moving forward. “I believe I’m the first one in Malaysia who purchased only semi-units of equipment and built my own tower and accessories to make a complete set of production lines due to my limitation in capital; unlike the others that purchased full sets of equipment. Later on, other converters followed my formula when they realised the savings they incurred.” Dragonpak Industries’ biodegradable polymer additive invention was awarded 1-Innocert Grade A in 2010. “Our technology also meets the International Standard ASTM D6954-04. Our product is market-driven and provides a solution to the plastic waste pollution,” says Jimmy proudly. “We came to know about MTDC through the seminars we attended. MTDC is a good platform for entrepreneurs and new companies as they provide guidance to safeguard our inventions. They led us to develop and explore our products further as well as provide us grants to enhance expansion.” Dragonpak received the Technology Acquisition Fund (TAF) for the acquisition of a technology that they needed to complement theirs. More than just funding the acquisition cost, MTDC also assisted them in preparing the company to better receive and capitalise the technology. You must have a passion and interest in developing new products and equipment modification to face challenges and achieve goals To keep ahead locally and globally, Jimmy attended seminars and exhibitions so that he could understand new products and market trends, as well as make suitable adjustments. He still believes that technopreneurs must make it a point to attend more seminars, so that they can understand market trends, but they must also be looking to do something special and unique on their market-driven products. “For example, when we faced threats on the plastic bag ban, we looked into developing alternatives like biodegradable products with new technology and equipment.”
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 117 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Dragonpak Industries (M) Sdn. Bhd. is a Malaysian specialty manufacturer of plastic bags & disposable food containers with an emphasis on product quality and standard of service. Their product range consists of t-shirt bags, merchandise bags, punch-out handle bags, block bags, and garbage bags on rolls. Ever since its inception, Dragonpak has enlarged its range of products to include bio-degradable bags, scented trash bags, also featuring insect repellent, as well as polypropylene (PP) food microwaveable containers. To date, Dragonpak’s capacity has grown to 6,000 metric tons per annum. As an ISO 9001 certified company, Jimmy sees that the key success factors to growth have been his business philosophy, quality products and competitive pricing. Over the years, Dragonpak Industries has taken on a research & development programme and service upgrade to ensure they achieve the differing specifications and requirements needed for their many and varied clients. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 117 30% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 70% IRELAND UK FRANCE BELGIUM GERMANY REPUBLIC OF MALAYSIA CONGO EGYPT JORDAN SINGAPORE INDONESIA AUSTRALIA PLASTIC 32 PACKAGING 53 CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO GLOBAL MARKET COUNTRIES 12 CERTIFICATION PRODUCTION CAPACITY FACILITTIES TOTAL PRODUCTS R&D INVESTMENT 6,000 100 TONNES SKU /ANNUM 65,000 SQFT 2.5 MILLION fifffflffiflffi ffi RAKAN PEMBEKAL ff ffiffiff 2 APPROVED PATENTS (4 COUNTRIES) IP ASTM D5208:2014 (2022) ASTM D3826: 2018 MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 117
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 119 I don’t like to take high risk. I would like to move carefully to minimise unnecessary risks doublecorporate.com Lee Kwong Seng Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder Double Corporate Sdn. Bhd. Lee Kwong Seng humbly says that his entrepreneurial character is nothing special and shrugs, “The company was formed in 2006 by me and my dad.” However, his understatement belies the dedication and methodical thinking that has gone into establishing Double Corporate Sdn. Bhd. as not only a manufacturer and supplier of lubricant oils for Malaysia and the rest of the world, but also as a leader in the production of biofuels from waste vegetable products. After all these years of hard work and varied experiences, Lee says that he has learnt one thing, that is to always focus and persevere. “Never hope that other people will finish your work. You must always take the initiative and work on it.” He certainly recognises the need to work as a team, but knows that while some problems can be solved immediately, others may need to be left until later. And some others are solved progressively. Lee knows that the future can be uncertain with challenges coming from the need to find funding, making sure you have the right knowledge, and where to gain valuable experience. However, Lee takes reassurance in his ability to always design and create new things, from which he can find further business opportunities. FUELING DREAMS WITH STRATEGY
120 30 TECHNO DREAMS Lee’s growth in understanding is perhaps shown most clearly in how, four years after the company’s formation, he and his father realised how much their knowledge in biofuel industries had grown, and they decided to invest in studying the production of biofuel from waste. It was a totally new area, but they believed that energy from waste would be something in high demand in the future. A further four years on, and Double Corporate were awarded a grant from the Ministry of Science, Technology & Innovation (MOSTI) to begin the process of bringing their research to the commercial market. Lee says, “With my technical background, it is really a big achievement and satisfaction that I can create something new and be able to turn it into a sustainable business.” of the pre-commercialisation stage for their biofuel project, and it was hoped that MTDC could help Double Corporate develop further with their proposed commercialisation. In the same year, Double Corporate was awarded the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) grant to commercialise second generation heavy duty biofuel. Along with the funding needed, MTDC was also able to provide valuable corporate guidance and advice. As Double Corporate grew they saw the need to steer more in a corporate direction, and Lee is grateful to MTDC for the competence and experience of their people, who have guided Double Corporate through the process, avoiding possible and unnecessary mistakes. Having MTDC by their side, Double Corporate has a clearer direction for the next five to ten years, as they continue to drive the company forward. There is no easy business or easy money. All businesses must put in lots of effort before we can see the outcome Lee knows that the entrepreneurial journey has been a long, tough one, saying, “most of the time you do not know if it is on the right path”. However, by walking slowly and carefully, Lee has managed to steer Double Corporate smoothly into a sector where they dominate, providing a hope for the world in its need for more sustainable energy sources. It was in 2016 that Double Corporate Sdn. Bhd. was introduced by MOSTI to MTDC. This was after completion
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 121 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Double Corporate Sdn. Bhd. is a manufacturer of oil products. Their petroleum-based products include lubricant oils and grease for automotive and industrial usage. Their range of lubricating oils is processed using the high grade chemical compounds and advanced technology within their own manufacturing facility. Supported by a competent team of highly skilled engineers, backed by in-depth research and development, Double Corporate’s formulation is aimed to produce superior performance and longer shelf life. Double Corporate manufactures and supplies lubricant oil in Malaysia, and exports to the rest of the world. However, it is their research into biofuels that has enabled Double Corporate to gain expertise in the treatment of palm sludge oil and used cooking oil that is then converted into a valuable bioliquid that has many different industrial uses. According to the Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC, amended through Directive (EU) 2015/1513 (RED) and Fuel Quality Directive 2009/30/EC, Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME), Empty Fruit Bunch Oil (EFB) and Used Cooking Oil (UCO) are all defined as ‘Waste and Residue’ and are considered to have zero life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. As they foresee future growth in demand, Double Corporate’s long term plans include a diversification in the supply chains of their much needed raw materials, as well as an expansion in their production capacity. GLOBAL MARKET POME SUSTAINABLE AVIATION FUEL (SAF), SUSTAINABLE MARINE FUEL (SMF), ROAD TRANSPORT (BIODIESEL), & POWER GENERATION. THAILAND UAE SPAIN FINLAND ITALY CHINA JAPAN MALAYSIA NEXT GENERATION BIOFUEL FROM AGRICULTURAL WASTE GREEN ENERGY 13 CO-FOUNDERS 30TEAM MEMBERS YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO COUNTRIES 8 70% INTERNATIONAL LOCAL 30% • 2016 : APPROVED AS BIOECONOMY TRANSFOMATION PROGRAMME TRIGGER PROJECT UNDER EPP 12-BIOCHEMICALS FROM RENEWABLE RESOURCES • REFINED OIL PRODUCTS (FROM PALM AND VEGETABLE OIL WASTE OIL) • RECOGNITION & ACCEPTANT BY SEVERAL MAIN HYDROGENERATED VEGETABLE OIL PRODUCTION PLANT ACHIEVEMENTS CERTIFICATION SUPPLY CHAIN OIL REFINING PLANT • 2022 - INTERNATIONAL SUSTAINABILITY & CARBON CERTIFICATION (ISCC) • ISO 9001:2015 MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 121
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 123 In growth markets serving up to 10% of global road construction additive supply, we are one of only eight manufacturers worldwide producing the fibre asphalt additives novapave.com.my Mohd Fareez Fahmi Managing Director Novapave Sdn. Bhd. It’s his passion to see an improvement in the quality of Malaysia’s roads that is the driving force for Mohd Fareez Fahmi, Managing Director of Novapave Technology Sdn. Bhd. Fareez proudly states, “We are one of the eight companies worldwide producing fibre asphalt additives, and the only one in Asia with this new technology for road bitumen with a special formulation.” Fareez claims that he’s been an entrepreneur all his adult life, always having a passion for technology and innovation. However, maybe Fareez’s entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured by his parents, who would bring their five year old son along with them when they were operating a small F&B business selling burgers. Fareez recalls how in secondary school at MRSM Kota Bharu, Kelantan, that, despite being in the Science stream, he did not take Biology. Instead he opted for Rekacipta. His enthusiasm for the subject propelled him into winning many awards for creativity and innovation. This interest grew whilst at matriculation college, where he succeeded to make money from selling nasi lemak and chartered bus tickets for students to balik kampung. At university, he managed a few mini enterprises that actually earned him some good money; between RM3,000 and RM4,000 per month, while he was studying. DREAMING OF A SMOOTHER JOURNEY
124 30 TECHNO DREAMS It is no wonder then that by the time Fareez graduated, he had made up his mind to be a world class entrepreneur. Novapave Technology Sdn. Bhd. was the first private limited company that Fareez established. His previous forays into business were through sole proprietorship entities. Setting up Novapave in 2011, Fareez set out on a road that was not easy. However, he says that he enjoys waking up each day to a new set of challenges. Since those early days, Fareez’s winning strategy has been to keep his focus on the changing needs of the client, more so than the changes in technology. “One should sell what clients need instead of what one wants to sell.” Fareez believes that by keeping ahead of their clients’ changing needs, Novapave has been able to sustain their ability to compete locally and globally. Their clients and agents from abroad now include India, In 2012, when Fareez Fahmi presented to MTDC his proposal to commercialise an asphalt additive product that could solve road quality issues known as Fibre Mastic Alphalt (FMA), he was envisioning his own dream of motoring along roads free from potholes. MTDC’s Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) grant to commercialise FMA was granted in the same year, followed by a Business Start Up Fund (BSF) in 2017. This allowed him to begin developing his first production of asphalt additives, which went on to be exported to seven countries worldwide. Fareed gladly acknowledges MTDC’s role in developing and facilitating Novapave’s growth from ground zero to now being firmly in the driving seat, ready to give the industry and their competitors the ride of their lives. Enrich people’s lives and witness the enrichment of your own Kazakhstan, Mauritius, Nepal, South Korea, Turkey and UAE. So from the bumps and uphill struggles of his entrepreneurial journey, Fareez would say to any aspiring technopreneur, “Stay strong, because overnight success only comes after a decade. A business may fail, but true entrepreneurs will never fail.” In 2011, Fareez and his co-founder, Mahmudah Aunuddin, were selected to join the UPM-MTDC Symbiosis Programme, during which they received intensive technopreneurship training. It was out of this training that Novapave Technology Sdn. Bhd. was formed.
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 125 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Since its inception, Novapave Technology Sdn. Bhd. has been introducing innovative additives to road asphalt in their bid to see the quality of road surfaces continually improve. Their latest innovation is Fibre Mastic Asphalt. Novapave began with the commercialisation of their new asphalt mix, which had been in R&D for more than 30 years. Developed by Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Novapave collaborated with other top research institutions, such as the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM), and all contributors benefitted from the business advice of MTDC, together with the regulating public authority, Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR), and many highly regarded industry partners. Such a coming together of minds ensured that the final product was not only technologically advanced, but also seamless in its application and implementation. Novapave’s priority is to always provide their clients with solutions, whether they are improving efficiency or reducing costs or resources; all leading to better bottom lines and margins. They see that this is best achieved through an intentional and informed application of the latest innovations and technology. This is the winning formula that has driven Novapave into the pole position of worldwide recognition WORLDWIDE TO PRODUCE FIBRE ASPHALT ADDITIVES 1 OF 8COMPANIES PRODUCT ADVANTAGES STRUCTURAL STRENGTH 3 TIMES EXTENDED LIFESPAN (AIRPORT APRON) 24 TIMES POTENTIAL MARKET R&D INVESTMENT RM1.5 FACILITIES 24,000 SQFT PROJECTS COMPLETED 80 PROJECTS EXPRESSWAY ROADS (FEDERAL & RURAL) AIRPORT APRON SEAPORT LINKS STONE MASTIC 11ALPHALT CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS 27 YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO COUNTRIES 8 PRODUCTION CAPACITY PER ANNUM TONNES MIL 4,000 PRODUCT APPROVAL SOURCE OF TECHNOLOGY UAE SOUTH KOREA MALAYSIA TURKIYE KAZAKHSTAN INDIA NEPAL MAURITIUS MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 125
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 127 enhancing QUALITY OF LIFE Health Through Nature
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 129 I don’t consider myself a high achiever, and I don’t aspire to be one. But I do believe in getting a job done wholeheartedly, and with integrity bioharvestorganics.com Soo Siew Peng Managing Director and Co-founder Bio Harvest Sdn. Bhd. DREAMS FROM THE KITCHEN It was in the year 2000 that Soo Siew Peng, together with her brother, Soo Kian Kheng (KK), decided to start a business that was more aligned with the values they both shared. At the time, Siew Peng was one of the youngest CFOs with a multi-national, while KK was doing well as a chemical engineer. Both of them left these secure positions behind, so that they could follow their dream. It was not an easy journey, and looking at their state-of-the-art, ECOCERT certified facility today, it is hard to imagine that this all started in Siew Peng’s kitchen over 20 years ago. “Back then, people thought we were dreaming,” says Siew Peng, “But we still have the same dreams today: to do our part in creating a better future for the next generations, and to be a net positive contributor in the ecosystem.” Now a 78-plus strong team works in their new facility in Rawang. Siew Peng is proud of her staff, who have stuck with them through thick and thin. Siew Peng and KK have an enviable synergy, not just as siblings, but also as business partners; their skills complemented each other perfectly. “He is my rock,” says Siew Peng of her softly-spoken brother. With KK at the helm of the R&D and
130 30 TECHNO DREAMS manufacturing sides of the company, Siew Peng is free to focus on the commercial side of the business. However, she will point out that the strength of their R&D is one of their major success factors. “As siblings and business partners, this journey has strengthened our bond, and we couldn’t have asked for a better way to honour our late father, who had always been our pillar of strength.” The work of Bio Harvest is supported by a strong network of suppliers worldwide and across the organic industry, from which they obtain news and regular updates. And throughout this journey, Siew Peng and KK have held onto those shared values that were foundational to Bio Harvest’s birth. A commitment to excellence. Doing what is right for their customers and their community. Promoting a culture of diversity and an environment of mutual respect. with Siew Peng making big cuts to her own personal finances in a bid to keep Bio Harvest afloat. She recalls, “For seven years, I had not taken any salary, and my brother had only received a small portion to keep the family going.” It was through a desperate online search that they found MTDC and were able to secure the help they needed to turn things around. With this, they were able to bring to life the discoveries they had made in their extensive R&D. Siew Peng says that they will always be grateful for the confidence that was entrusted to them, despite being a relatively unknown company at the time. Therefore Bio Harvest was able to get back on track, and now they are fully active on the global stage, working hard to keep ahead of the competition, and participating each year in some of the world’s largest exhibitions for organic and natural products. Be resourceful, creative and develop a strong problem-solving mentality. Build authentic friendships and networks, because in business you can never walk alone Leading by example and inspiring others along the way. As well as recognising individual talents and working together to achieve a common goal. In 2008, Bio Harvest Sdn. Bhd received funding from MTDC via the Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) to commercialise organic certified, preservative-free natural plant-based personal and skin care products. Another round of funding for the commercialisation of Organic Hair and Scalp Products was obtained in 2016. This was a critical time for the company,
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 131 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS As a technology focused company from the start, Bio Harvest Sdn. Bhd. has achieved significant milestones over the years. The company has gone beyond their ECOCERT certification to produce some of the world’s first preservative-free, organic baby products. Named Buds Organics, this homegrown brand carries the largest selection of ECOCERT certified organic baby products in the world. It is also the first brand in SE Asia to earn this coveted certification; an accreditation that is not easy to achieve. Further to this line, Buds Cherished Organics uses synergistic blends of natural active ingredients to stay mild and stable, while remaining highly effective. As a pioneer for the inclusion of prebiotics in skincare, Buds Organics has seen relief given to countless eczema sufferers. Bio Harvest is now forging ahead to meet their ambitious environmental, social and governance targets. Soo Siew Peng saying,“We want to be here to see our customers’ kids’ kids grow! And we want to see them inherit a cleaner, safer world too. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 131
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MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 133 medikanatura.com Abdul Razak Mohd Isa Chief Executive Officer Medika Natura Sdn. Bhd. I’m connecting the dots in life and business DREAMS TESTED BY TIME Medika Natura is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialisation of botanical drugs and highvalue herbal products of Malaysian and South East Asian origin. Headed up by Abdul Razak Mohd Isa (CEO), the company has, over the last eight years, invested extensively in pre-clinical and clinical research activities for the treatment of various prevalent communicable and non-communicable diseases. It’s a far cry from Razak’s early days, when he helped his parents care for their humble nursery of bonsai and bougainvillaea. He did not stay in his parents’ gardens, of course, but went on to study accountancy and work as a clerk. In the evenings, Razak attended night classes, through which he obtained an MBA from Multimedia University (MMU). Now equipped to start his own business, he partnered with Mustadza Muhamad, who shared similar aspirations, and together they founded Medika Natura Sdn. Bhd. The company became the first in Malaysia to successfully complete two concurrent Phase-II multicentre, randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled (RCT) clinical trials in Malaysia and Indonesia for the treatment of obesity. A randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled clinical trial in India, was also conducted in healthy adults, that confirmed the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of SKF7® (Standardised extract of Labisia pumila).
134 30 TECHNO DREAMS SKF7® is now Medika Natura’s patented core product and has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) clearance as a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI). It has also received clearance from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) as a Novel Food (NF) in 2022. Medika Natura is the first company in Malaysia to receive recognitions from two renowned global regulatory bodies. As with many business owners, Razak and Mustadza know that finding funding is one of the greatest challenges to growth, but it can be harder for biotechnology-related businesses where the gestation period is considerably longer. Plus the healthcare industry is highly-regulated, which means that global approval processes can take years to pursue. Knowing this, it is all more impressive that Medika Natura have not only secured the backing to continue their extended testing, but have obtained the looked-for results with the clearances and recognition coming to them from global authorities. The following year, 2018, MTDC gave Medika Natura its second break with Commercialisation of R&D Fund (CRDF) funding to acquire the patent pending technology of standardised extract of Labisia pumila for weight reduction and nano-formulation, an R&D from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM). The patent was granted in 2022. The relationship with MTDC continues as further assistance has been agreed for Medika Natura to be listed on NASDAQ in 2024. TECHNOLOGY FOCUS Medika Natura is a biopharmaceutical company specialising in the development and commercialisation of botanical drugs and high-value herbal products originating from Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It revolutionises ageold traditions by blending scientific precision with rigorous clinical research. They emphasise, “Drawing from a heritage that spans over four centuries, we have harnessed the therapeutic Believe in what you do. Stay focused, remain humble and be transparent always Medika Natura is certainly poised to fulfil Razak’s vision that “Malaysia can be the world’s producer of halal, evidencebased botanical drugs and high-value herbal ingredients.” It was while he was running his horticulture business that Abdul Razak was approached by an ex- colleague, who had worked in UPM. The excolleague asked if Razak was keen to undertake the commercialisation of the university’s research products. At a subsequent meeting, Razak heard about the MTDC Technology Garage Fund and how they were looking for 10 young entrepreneurs to support. Abdul Razak and his partner were selected for the commercialisation of R&D in Orchids biotechnology at Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM).
MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 135 NDI : 1250 & 1143 PATENTED EFSA NF 2019/1337 USPTO No. 17961940 NMRR-19-3258-51258 (ISR) Protocol No : CRSU-P-1-1019 PRE-CLINICAL CLINICAL RESEARCH RM5 MILLION RM20 MILLION INVESTMENT MALAYSIA SINGAPORE THAILAND SAUDI ARABIA EGYPT ITALY BELGIUM GERMANY FRANCE SPAIN USA CHINA TAIWAN HONG KONG PHILIPINES SOUTH KOREA INDONESIA 9 BIOPHARMACEUTICAL CO-FOUNDERS TEAM MEMBERS 8 YEARS IN BUSINESS FROM TO POTENTIAL MARKET COUNTRIES 17 CLINICAL TRIAL STATISTICS ACHIEVED A SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH IN OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME RESEARCH BY COMPLETING AND PUBLISHING A SUCCESSFUL PHASE 2 CLINICAL TRIAL IN DIABETES, OBESITY, AND METABOLISM, A RENOWNED PEER-REVIEWED MEDICAL JOURNAL. CLINICAL STUDIES 314INDIVIDUALS WITH OBESITY PRIMARY 4CARE CLINICS TERTIARY 6CARE HOSPITALS CERTIFICATIONS 2 PATENTS 8 IPs 6 TRADEMARKS SKF7® THE FIRST BOTANICAL DRUG CLINICAL TRIAL TARGETING OBESITY AND METABOLIC SYNDROME IN MALAYSIA AND INDONESIA ACTIVE PHARMACEUTICAL INGREDIENT FROM MALAYSIA TO RECEIVE REGULATORY CLEARANCE FROM THE UNITED STATES FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) AS A NEW DIETARY INGREDIENT AND FROM THE EUROPEAN FOOD SAFETY AUTHORITY (EFSA) AS A NOVEL FOOD. st 1 • MALACCA • PERAK LOCAL • NEGERI SEMBILAN • SELANGOR INTERNATIONAL • INDIA • INDONESIA potential of plants and herbs, as documented in historical texts like the Manuskrip Melayu and Kitab Tib.” Medika Natura Sdn. Bhd. achieved a significant breakthrough in the field of obesity and metabolic syndrome research by conducting the first botanical drug clinical trial on obesity in Malaysia using one of the company’s core products, SKF7®️. SKF7®️ is a patented standardised extract of Labisia pumila, a native Malaysian plant better known as Kacip Fatimah. The clinical study highlights its promising ability to effectively reduce waist circumference and waist-to-height ratio in individuals with obesity, correlated with a reduction in visceral fat among the population studied. The importance of reducing visceral fat extends beyond aesthetic concerns, as excess visceral fat has been associated with heightened risks of various metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular conditions and diabetes. SKF7®️ is the first Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient from Malaysia to receive regulatory clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a New Dietary Ingredient in 2020. Two years later, it was granted the status of Novel Food by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Labeesity®️ the brand name of the dietary product containing SKF7®️ is approved by the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA), Badan Pengawas Ubat dan Makanan Republik Indonesia and Health Sciences Authority of Singapore. MALAYSIAN TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MTDC) 135
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