Research Institutes, Centres and Units - Universiti Sains Malaysia

Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals
and Nutraceuticals
Healthcare biotechnology serves a pivotal role in realising the National Biotechnology
Policy (NBP). Our abundant natural resources will drive biotechnology as a new
economic engine in the near future. The Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and
Nutraceuticals (IPharm) was established on 29 th November 2006 under the Ministry
of Science, Technology and Innovation in order to spearhead this initiative by delivering
world-class R&D to accelerate the discovery, development and commercialisation of
pharmaceutical and nutraceutical products. IPharm focuses on five major R&D thrust
areas:
• Assay Development
• Bio-screening
• Hits-to-Lead
• Lead Optimisation
• Bioprocess
IPharm’s research laboratory houses some of the most advanced R&D facilities in
the country, including a Bio-safety Class II laboratory and a new natural products
compound repository.
Collaborations
IPharm aims to build strategic partnerships with local and international organisations in
order to promote R&D and technology acquisition as well as human capital development.
The Institute possesses firm ties with the World Health Organisation – Prof. Dato’
Dr. Mohamed Isa bin Abdul Majid, IPharm’s Director-General, is a two-time
temporary advisor to the World Health Organisation. IPharm is also
in public-private partnership with the Drugs for Neglected Diseases
Initiative (DNDi) in an effort to develop new drugs and formulations
of existing drugs for patients suffering from neglected communicable
diseases worldwide.