Enhanced BioNexus Status Strengthens Malaysia’s Biotechnology Ecosystem

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- The enhanced BioNexus Status framework strengthens Malaysia’s position as a platform for growing biotechnology companies by expanding support and responding to the industry’s evolving needs.

The Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) has announced that 14 companies have been awarded BioNexus Status certificates. This status recognises qualified biotechnology companies and offers them access to business facilitation, partnerships, technical expertise, market opportunities, and investment support.

“Since 2006, 378 companies have been awarded the BioNexus Status, which have generated RM25.6 billion in revenue, created more than 14,500 jobs and recorded RM8.6 billion in approved investments, of which nearly RM5 billion has been realised.

“They have also generated RM9.2 billion in exports to markets including Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam, the United States, China, Japan and the Middle East, while 17 have listed holding companies,” it said in a statement.

Bioeconomy Corporation chief executive officer Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said the enhanced BioNexus Status framework, introduced in July 2025, was designed to respond to evolving industry needs and strengthen alignment with the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0.

“The BioNexus Status now places stronger emphasis on government recognition, business facilitation, ecosystem access, and industry growth.

“The minimum paid-up capital requirement was also reduced from RM250,000 to RM150,000, a move that facilitates greater access to support and assistance for promising emerging biotechnology companies,” he said.

Mohd Khairul said the corporation’s priority was to build a BioNexus community based on quality, credibility and commercial potential rather than simply increasing the number of participating companies.

“We are not chasing numbers simply to make the BioNexus Status community bigger. Our priority is to identify and support companies with strong innovation and with strong potential for commercialisation, exports, technology development and national impact.

“Through stronger engagement with industry players, investors, universities and research institutions, we want BioNexus Status to become a mark that says: this is a Malaysian company ready to compete with the world,” he said.

Bioeconomy Corporation stated that companies under the BioNexus Status can also gain access to business matching, market and investment facilitation, strategic partnerships, technical expertise, shared laboratories and research facilities, including wider industry and international networks.

Among the latest cohort, Natureceuticals Sdn Bhd received a RM1 million grant under the Dana Pengkomersialan programme to support the development and commercialisation of Nuvastatic, a clinically validated botanical therapeutic derived from Misai Kucing to manage cancer-related fatigue.

“The 14 companies operate across areas including precision diagnostics, regenerative medicine, botanical biotechnology, microalgae, fermentation, animal nutrition and functional health, reflecting the diversity of Malaysia’s emerging biotechnology ecosystem,” it said.

-- BERNAMA