MALAYSIA-CUBA BIO-TECH ALLIANCE OPENS THE DOOR FOR HALAL VACCINES

Mohd Azril Mohd Annuar and Syed Azwan Ali

KUALA LUMPUR, May 5 (Bernama) -- A decade has yet to pass since Malaysia and
Cuba inked a scientific agreement but both are already reaping great rewards and
benefits through this mutual cooperation with greater possibilities looming on
the horizon.

The greatest achievement for both nations so far is in the bio-technology
and pharmaceutical fields where a dynamic relationship has evolved with
Malaysia's expertise in the production line goes hand in hand with Cuba's
research capabilities and experience in the medical and intellectual realm.

"We (Malaysia and Cuba) are like two sides of the same coin. Malaysia has
the capital to assist the development of Cuban scientific discoveries", observed
Cuban Ambassador to Malaysia Carlos Amores in an exclusive interview with
Bernama.

The cooperation between Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and the Finlay
Institute from Cuba to develop a halal meningitis vaccine, which was unheard of
up to two years ago holds great potential.

According to a USM's website article dated 20 Jan 2008, former Higher
Education Minister Mustapa Mohamed noted that the vaccine is critical for
Muslims performing their Hajj or Umrah since it is derived from plant cell
culture instead of animal cell culture.

The Malaysian government approved a grant of RM2 million while the Cuban
government contributed RM1.6 million (400,000 Euro-dollar) for this project.

"Instead of injecting the bacteria or the virus into the human body, a
synthesized polysaccharine cell culture is introduced to simulate and produce
the immune reaction in the human body, generating the antibodies required to
combat the disease", explained Amores when asked to comment on the latest
developments.

He further said that the key in creating this substance was reprogramming
the cell at the genetic level.

The vaccine will only be introduced into the market between the next one and
two years time due to the approval procedures involved to ensure the safety of
the vaccine which includes proper certification, registration and other relevant
requirements.

The next stage for this potentially successful two-nation joint effort would
be the establishment of a vaccine plant in Malaysia for mass production,
warranting technology transfer from Finlay Institute.

Thus with Cuba's assistance, last year a Malaysian bio-tech company Bioven
Sdn Bhd began conducting Malaysia's very first clinical trials for a lung cancer
vaccine which can quite possibly be developed to treat other cancers as well.

Bioven chief executive officer Dr W.Shermal Perera stated in a Bernama
article dated 7 April 2008; "We are equally excited because this is the first
time Malaysia will go through a clinical trial period organised by a local
company.

"We also have Mukhriz Mahathir and Cuban Ambassador, Signor Carlos Amores to
thank for because they have helped us bring here this product. Should we succeed
with Malaysia and the clinical trials are approved by the regulatory bodies, our
next plan is to go into Europe to conduct the trials there.

In the same article Cuban Centre of Molecular Immunology Project Manager Dr
Gisela Gonzalez Marinello stated that around 200-350 patients have been treated
in Cuba with the vaccine during its clinical trial period and the treatment has
proven successful.

"The vaccine helps prolong the life of the patient. Sixty percent of the
patients treated with the vaccine have a continued lifespan of 12 months in
comparison to only six to seven months with only chemotherapy.

"Another 30 percent of the patients treated have survived up to two years
while an astounding 10 per cent have managed to continue living a good life for
up to six years. Best of all, there are very minimal side effects unlike
chemotherapy. There have been no reports of hair loss or organ damage", added Dr
Marinello.

To date, 10 Malaysian hospitals have agreed to conduct the clinical trials
and recently Ambassador Amores reported that 38 patients have been undergoing
the vaccination and the results have been quite encouraging.

Amores added that another new Cuban medical product could heal diabetic
ulcers on the feet. Prior to this, diabetic feet ulcers were extremely difficult
to treat and in many cases the feet had to be amputated.

Amores confirmed that this medication has the capability to heal the foot
ulcer and is being sold in the open market in Latin America.

Cuba's bio-tech strength and experience however does not lie only within the
medical and pharmaceutical services. Being an agrarian island nation, the
nation's bio-technology expertise obviously covers the agricultural sector as
well.

"Cuban scientists have recently developed a new complex amino acid for fish
farming. The acid is introduced into the fish at the larval stage and this
enhances the survival rate by 15 percent. With the acid, the fishes become more
active, eat more and grow to their maximum weight and size, producing greater
yield.

"And best of all, this product seems to work with shrimps as well. This is
another product that we would like to market here", explained Amores.

Although the possibilities for a very profitable relationship between
Malaysia and Cuba is unlimited, Amores commented that importing bio-tech
products and services here could be costly.

"The best method is for the government to handle this. I believe a G2G
(government to government) effort can make things easier.

"Cuba has reached high development in bio-tech and Malaysia has made it a
top priority to develop its own bio-tech industry", explained Amores.

When asked regarding the best industry for Malaysian investors who are
interested in Cuba, Amores stated that it would be tourism as the beautiful
Carribean island nation with its magnificent beaches, colourful culture and
friendly people is perfectly suited for this.

"We receive around 2.5 million tourists every year and this number is
rising. We need to develop the tourism infrastructure - hotels, resorts, golf
courses and more. This would be a very good industry for Malaysian investors who
are interested in Cuba", added Amores.

Malaysia first established diplomatic relations with Cuba on 6 February
1975, with the Caribean nation opening its embassy here in 1997 and Malaysia
opening a diplomatic mission in Havana in 2001.

Both nations strengthened the diplomatic bond during the 1990s and the ties
became stronger at the onset of the new millennium with former Cuban President
Fidel Castro's visit to Kuala Lumpur to sign the Commercial, Economic and
Scientific-Technical Exchange Agreement and the Intergovernmental Commission
was created.
-- BERNAMA