Encouraging momentum.

THE BIOTECHNOLOGY INDUSTRY in Malaysia, which has been progressing very well the last three years, is to continue building on the momentum to chart a stronger future direction.

The industry is said to be resilient enough to weather the current onslaught of economic downturn, predicts the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation Sdn Bhd (BiotechCorp) chief executive officer, Datuk Iskandar Mizal Mahmood.

As it is, the local biotechnology industry is now enjoying a good run, with record numbers and all-time highs in revenue, venture financing and value of deals.

'It doesn't mean that we would be seeing another amazing growth in the industry as in 2008. It is simply not realistic to say things would be as good as in the previous years in the current environment,' he notes.

However, despite the crisis, Iskandar believes the market will continue to seek biotechnology products, particularly from the health and agriculture sectors.

'Biotechnology-based health and agriculture products are …