The Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC has jointly organised the CEO’s Life Sciences Conference 2009 with its venture partner, the Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund (MLSCF). The inaugural event with a select slate of speakers comprising the CEOs of the funds’ investee companies, CEOs of leading Malaysian life sciences companies as well as renowned scientists Dr. David Fischhoff of Monsanto Company, Dr. Christopher Hentschel of Medicines for Malaria and Professor Jay Keasling of the Joint Bioenergy Institute Berkeley, was held on 6^th to 7^th October 2009 in the Sheraton Imperial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur.  

The conference was launched by Y.B. Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) on behalf of the Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Seri Najib Tun Razak. The conference entitled “Innovation without Boundaries” builds on the concept of “Open Innovation”. Open Innovation involves accessing inventions globally to accelerate the growth of globally competitive, sustainable Malaysian businesses and thus the growth of the Malaysian economy.  

The special guest speakers included senior civil servants from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Energy, Green Technology and Water. The conference has highlighted the progress of Malaysia’s first dedicated life sciences venture capital fund the Malaysian Life Sciences Capital Fund. For the first time, the CEOs of these investee companies were gathered together in Kuala Lumpur to present their companies and to share their insights on the latest biotechnology advances and the significance of these trends on Malaysia’s push to develop into a knowledge-driven economy. 

During the Conference, MTDC and MLSCF had also announced an RM40 million investments into a ground-breaking Malaysian vaccines and therapeutics development company. The auspicious signing ceremony was witnessed by Y.B. Datuk Dr Maximus Johnity Ongkili, the Minister of Science, Technology & Innovation, accompanied by the Secretary General of MOSTI, Y. Bhg. Datin Madinah Mohamad.