Jul 26 2008
Technology transfer program signifies actual implementation of an academic, government agency and private sector partnership with Nanobiotix of France
Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) signed a partnership agreement today on the Advancement of Nanotechnology Research and Collaboration with Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp). Based on the agreement, three USM researchers will undergo 12 months of training in France to intensify the R&D for the Malaysian biotechnology industry.
"USM has been chosen as our partner in this initiative, in line with its established track record in collaborative research work. It is very important for us to join forces with an institution of the highest standards in terms of expertise and professionalism. This is reflected in the partnership between BiotechCorp & USM to realize the objectives in the acquisition of the nanotechnology platform," said YBhg Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, the Chief Executive Officer of BiotechCorp.
At Bio San Diego 2008 earlier this month, BiotechCorp's international partners highlighted some important key actions to substantiate Malaysia's ambition to become a global biotechnology hub. One of the key actions suggested was the urgent need of an innovative programme to quickly expand or regain Malaysian talent in life sciences and biotechnology and to increase academic & private sector initiatives.
BiotechCorp was established on 13 May 2005 to ensure that the Government's biotechnology objectives and strategies are fully deployed. In 2007, BiotechCorp signed a technology transfer and license agreement with Nanobiotix S.A (NBTX) of France, where they acquired an exclusive worldwide license for a nanotechnology platform.
"We are pleased to commit to this agreement as this technology transfer programme will comprise technical information, know how, manufacturing techniques, engineering data, specifications of materials and other commercially privileged information proprietary to NBTX," said YBhg Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia
The outcome of the training is for USM to develop a minimum of 2 new applications or products of substantial commercial value per year for a period of 4 years thus totaling 8 applications or products of substantial commercial value in 4 years. In return, all intellectual property rights to the improvements, enhancements, new inventions and innovations developed solely by USM shall be owned by USM.
"Collaboration of this nature does not work on a short-term basis. With this in mind, USM will ensure that within a period of not more than 12 months after the researchers return to Malaysia, a similar program will be conducted to enable other researchers to acquire the skills and knowledge earlier transmitted," added Tan Sri.
Furthermore, to add value to the technology transfer program, BiotechCorp will work alongside the three researchers to conduct seminars and road shows to create awareness on nanotechnology and its potential use with the aim to garner interest amongst the research community and encourage the uptake of sub-licenses among the research community.
USM will also map out a comprehensive plan for the training of other Malaysian researchers with an aim to cover all universities, research institutes and companies that are interested in utilizing the technology. The acquisition of this technology is also expected to provide a boost to USM's plans to develop its Science and Arts Innovation Space (sains@usm), an integrated research and business development park that was announced recently.