Atlanta, Georgia
May 20, 2009
Today, at 2009 BIO International
Convention in Atlanta,
Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) and
DNA LandMarks signed an agreement
to form a strategic collaboration in markerassisted breeding
technology. The initial focus will be on rice and cucurbit crops
– a plant family including squashes and melons – with farm
animal species to be added going forward.
BiotechCorp, a national leader in biotechnology development, is
seeking to enrich Malaysia’s plant and livestock breeding
programs with DNA markerassisted selection technology.
“After extensive consultation with the country’s agricultural
breeding stakeholders and an international search of technology
partners, BiotechCorp has selected DNA LandMarks to collaborate
with in this development project,”
said Y.Bhg Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood, CEO of BiotechCorp. “We
chose DNA LandMarks based on their extensive experience and
leading position in agricultural genomics.”
“DNA LandMarks will work closely with BiotechCorp to
dramatically enhance the speed and efficacy of agricultural
breeding through the application of genetic markers,” commented
DNA LandMarks CEO, Dr. Joachim Richert. “The scope of the
project will span DNA marker discovery and validation through to
the development of high-throughput genotyping platforms in
Malaysia.” The services provided by DNA LandMarks will deliver
immediate benefit to Malaysian breeders and agriculture in
general. Simultaneously, the company will train Malaysian
scientists and provide required technology to rapidly establish
expertise locally. DNA LandMarks will also support the setup of
a state-of-the-art genomics institute to be known as the Center
for Marker Discovery and Validation.
“BiotechCorp envisions the Center for Marker Discovery and
Validation to emerge as a leader in molecular breeding
technologies providing services to the vibrant agricultural
industry within the country, the region and around globe,”
according to Y.Bhg Dato' Iskandar Mizal Mahmood. “This
collaboration will help us achieve our strategic vision of
driving the agricultural sector forward by adopting
biotechnology as a key enabler.”
Since its foundation in 1995, DNA LandMarks Inc. has been a
world leader in DNA marker development and applications. Today
the company offers a full array of marker technologies to the
agricultural sector from development to mapping to
high-throughput application. DNA LandMarks is a unit of BASF
Plant Science and its Centre of Excellence for DNA sequencing
and genotyping.
BASF – the Chemical Company – consolidated its plant
biotechnology activities in BASF Plant Science in 1998. Today,
about 700 employees are working to optimize crops for more
efficient agriculture, renewable raw materials and healthier
nutrition. Projects include yield increase in staple crops,
higher content of Omega-3s in oil crops for preventing
cardiovascular diseases, and potatoes with optimized starch
composition for industrial use. To find out more about BASF
Plant Science, please visit
www.basf.com/plantscience.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical
Company. BASF has more than 97,000 employees and posted sales of
€63.2 billion in 2008.
BiotechCorp is the lead development agency for the biotech
industry in Malaysia and acts as a central contact point
providing support, facilitation and advisory services for
biotech and life sciences company in Malaysia.
Since its establishment in 2005, BiotechCorp has played a key
role in building the biotech business in Malaysia. To date,
BiotechCorp has facilitated the development of, 104 companies
have been awarded the BioNexus Status, with a total approved
investment of RM1.37 billion, and total potential employment of
more than 1,964 knowledge workers. BioNexus status companies are
international and Malaysian biotech companies which qualify for
fiscal incentives, grants and guarantees administered by
BiotechCorp. For further details, log on to
www.biotechcorp.com.my.
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