by AFIQ HANIF /pic courtesy of MGRC

MALAYSIAN Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (MGRC) has partnered Acquest Healthcare Stem Cell Research and Development Co Ltd to grow its customer base in Thailand and explore opportunities for research and development (R&D) of new products and services.

Under the partnership, MGRC to produce chimeric antigen receptor T-cells for supply to Acquest Healthcare’s customers.

MGRC also signed a supply and collaboration agreement with Salus Holdings Co Ltd to supply biopharmaceutical and genomics products and services to Salus’ customers.

MGRC CEO Sasha Nordin said the company is looking forward to a fruitful relationship with its Thai partners.

“These collaborations are part of our strategy of growing the customer base and increasing our presence overseas through working with business partners who have an established presence in their respective market segments,” she said in a statement today.

Meanwhile, Acquest Healthcare CEO Dr Roland Neff said the collaboration is the first step as both parties explore the possibilities of conducting joint R&D that can result in new products and services that can be commercialised.

“We have a state-of-the-art clinical laboratory in Bangkok and also the largest privately-owned specialty human cell culturing facility in the country,” he added.

Acquest Healthcare is a well-established provider of various cell therapies to hospitals, specialist doctors and patients in Thailand.

Salus director Choy Hong Yang mentioned the company uses science and technology to provide services on disease detection, prevention and life-span improvement.

“This collaboration with MGRC will enable us to leverage their genetics knowledge and expertise to offer more products and services while the strategic cooperation is in keeping with our core value of joint innovation to offer new technologies to our customers,” he added.

Salus is a specialist in wellness and health screening using science and technology for early disease detection and managing programmes for lifestyle intervention based in Bangkok.

At the event, MGRC also signed a letter of intent with Marine Group Co Ltd and Salus on collaborative research in the use of genetic screening tests and formulated cosmetic products containing certain cell therapy ingredients for the regeneration of the skin and hair of patients.