UK, India firms keen to invest in Bio-City

WASHINGTON: Three biotechnology-based pharmaceutical companies are interested to invest in the biotechnology hub, Bio-City, in Alor Gajah, Melaka.

The firms -- two from India and one from UK -- indicated their interests at a meeting between the firms' key executives and general manager of Invest Melaka, Ramli Mohd Ali, at the BIO International Convention (BIO Washington) held here recently.

"They have shown their interests and we need to hold discussions with them from time to time," he said.

BIO Washington is the world's largest biotechnology gathering of the big names in the industry to network and share their experience.

Ramli said Invest Melaka, a one-stop investment agency, has been given the mandate to woo biotechnology investors and was actively promoting the 120-hectare Bio-City.

"The setting up of Biotechnology Institute, which has carried out studies in various areas like tissue culture, toxicology and DNA studies, is expected to attract more investors," he said.

He said two BioNexus-status companies, including Vivo BioTech (M) Sdn Bhd, were in discussions to set up their facilities in Bio-City.

Ramli said Bio-City has set up a conducive environment for investors and has paid special attention to the needs of the 'niche' investors.

"We offer 'tailor-made' services based on the needs of individual investors," he said. -- Bernama