Interview: Biotechnology in Malaysia

I decided to do an interview with someone who works in the Malaysian biotechnology industry.

Q: First of all, what exactly is biotechnology? As I understand it, it’s the application of technology to agriculture … am I correct?

A: Wrong-oh!!!! Its the application of technology to applied biology; technology such as robotics, and super sensitive sensing stuff, and IT to crunch the data generated. So basically … in general there are two levels of biological research: in vivo and in vitro. In vivo is when s**t is done to the organism directly, in vitro is when you do s**t in the lab. Sorry, in a test tube, whatever. So know, with IT, there’s in silico, which means in computer heheheeh.

Q: Heh heh (obligatory chuckling)

A: So … with today’s technology, we can look deeper using powerful scopes and spectrometry. When we can see deeper, we don’t know half of what we see, so we use IT to go through the data. This is called bioinformatics. And also with robotics, we can do precision stuff at a very high rate called high throughput analysis. So, my definition of biotech is applying technology such as IT, engineering, etc., to applied biology. Biotech as a field lah. There is also this guy from Cuba, sounded smart, who defines biotechnology as using biological stuff in manufacturing, to change one thing to other, like making tapai with yeast, which is ok, but too limited to manufacturing.

Q: So bioinformatics is a branch of biotechnology?

A: For sure. Biological data is finite, but it’s really really huge, and analyzing it is tricky because sometimes, the matter is too small to see. So they devise algorithms based on biological systems theories. Some relationships are sound, like toxicology, etc., but some are not clear. So people do in silico first, to determine best route for R&D, then move on to lab work.

Q: So what’s the objective of biotechnology?

A: According to BiotechCorp, for wellbeing and wealth creation, hehehehe, but personally, I feel that it’s about knowing thyself. Objective eh … hmm … know more about something and use it for something beneficial I guess.

Q: My guess would be to increase the efficiency of food production. Is genetic engineering related to biotechnology?

A: For sure. The world of modern biotech started when they wanted to map the human genome, figure out the codes, and work from there. When we deal with genes and s**t, called genetics la kan, so genetic engineering is when you play around with the genes. But first you have to figure out what gene does what. Most times it’s guesswork, but the more simple the organism, lagi cepat kau boleh baca genes dia [the faster you could read the genes].

Q: I see. So how about biotechnology in the Malaysian context. Where are we now? Where are we headed?

A: Needless to say, we’re behind. Tech wise I’d say about 10-15 years behind. Where we’re headed is nowhere really. The biotech policy has identified focus areas but lacks serious strategy on how to get there.

Q: Are there any explicit goals? Anything included in the Ninth Malaysian Plan (RMK9)?

A: Ada [Yes]. BiotechCorp is given RM300 under RMK9 to do s**t: 100 for commercialization grants, 100 for technology acquisition, 50 for IP development, 50 for human capital dev. BiotechCorp is the lead implementation agency for the National Biotech Policy.

Q: Sorry, you mean RM300 million?

A: Yup. Heheeh 300 ringgit won’t pay the CEO’s shoes.

Q: Ha ha. I would say every country in the world recognizes the importance of ICT. But is there any other developing country that’s pursuing biotechnology in the formal manner that we are?

A: Pretty much everyone. Semua ada [Everyone has] their own dev plan: Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan … [South] Korea has an advanced programme. Cuba has a good one, self-sustaining. Chile. Dubai has a biotech park called … Dubiotech heheeh

Q: Ha ha!

A: Macam dubious je bunyi [sounds dubious] heheeh. The main attraction about biotech is the value is not tied to something physical. It’s all about the IP. So whoever discovers the knowledge first, gets to keep it and sell it. But what the lawmakers don’t understand is that it’s f**king capital intensive. A lot of groundwork is necessary: infrastructure and loads of training.

Q: I see … so do we have any success stories that we could highlight?

A: Success stories, not really, and we are not capable of it yet. But there opportunities in alliances with other countries who have the technology. One main selling point for us is we have the raw resources but we need the lab equipment and the people who know how to implement an R&D project that results in value at the end of it. For instance we have Tongkat Ali, which is good for whatever but we can’t prove it. Never mind that, we cant even characterize the thing. No one is seriously looking at it.

Q: Is there such a thing as a degree in biotechnology?

A: Yes. But again, these new grads are being taught by people who graduated 10 years ago. Hence, it’s old science. To make a comparison, katalah [let’s say the] automotive industry: other people are working on hybrid engines, ABS, VTEC, on-board computer, smart suspension. But we are working on making a better kereta lembu [oxcart] wheel. Camtu lah [it’s like that]. My cousin has a degree in biotech. Unemployable, sekarang kerja cikgu [now a teacher at a] primary school

Q: I was planning to ask that, actually - where would a biotechnologist work, and what would be his or her options.

A. Not here. hehehe. Sebab [because] there are not many psuedo biotech jobs around and their arcane training is not good enough beyond these shores. The main thing lacking is training in using IT tools. Seriously, that’s the gap. It keeps us doing in vivo work only, in vitro as well. Not good enough, not deep enough. So mana ada [where are the] profound discoveries?

Q: I see. Look, I can’t help but feel this huge sense of pessimism from you … but you are in the industry for a reason, surely there’s light at the end of the tunnel?

A: Heheheh macam Malik Imtiaz la lu [you sound like Malik Imtiaz]. It’s not pessimism. A job is easier if we admit what the problem is. Identifiy and solve it. Itu je [that’s all]. I think Malaysians have the intellectual capacity but we need the motivation and the right infrastructure.

Q: So if biotech grads end up being unemployed, what type of jobs should be created for them, and what are the actions being taken in this regard?

A: Wah two part question ni [Wow, this is a two-part question]. It’s not good enough to try and CREATE jobs for them. The current grads have been screwed, but it’s up to them to find a job, no matter what. So what is needed is for unis to upgrade the curriculum. Include new techs and make them love the research. The biotech grads I’ve met, all hate going to the lab. So I put to them, what the f**k did you do your biotech degree for. For them it’s the caca merba [chaotic] education system that does this, but that’s another story. The government is trying to give incentives for local companies to invest in R&D and for foreigners to come here with their money and tech. This hopefully will create the first critical mass. Just a spark, but highly necessary at the same time, there are efforts to inject an entrepreneur spirit in biotech grads: workshops, etc. Hopefully, these guy will be employable. But again, there is no real strategy so nothing might pan out except duit habis [the drying up of funds]. The global biotech pie is big enough for everyone to makan tak habis [”eat without finishing”] and I really do mean everyone. Malaysia just doesn’t know where they wanna be, and how to get there.

Q: Ok. I think I’ll wrap it up for now … so if you were in charge, what would you do?

A: Eh, nak wrap up dah? [Wrapping up already?]

Q: Yup.

A: Baru nak warm up!!!!! [I was just warming up!]

Q: Ha ha! Next time.

A: What would I do. Heheehehe. I would focus on the future. Two part strategy. Start with the high school kids from now: expose them to the sector, and take them to labs, take them outside, explain how there are 60,000+ compounds in a single plant so that by the time they get to uni, they have a love for the stuff and by that time, the lecturers and labs must be global standard. The methodology used must be latest and incentives given to make new discoveries, innovate at the same time, the government must build labs run as private entities with global certifications. Throwing money and tax incentives do not create but having labs will draw these companies in. They have limited money to invest in labs so, sediakan untuk [get ready for] them. We need to brand Malaysia as a smart biotech country. Yes, we’re small and we don’t have big pharma companies here but we know our s**t like the back of our hands and if you partner with us, we’ll probably make some money together heheheeh. Tax savings and cost savings mean nothing if the businesses don’t exist. Thank you and good night.

Q: Thank you for your time! It was a pleasure.

A: Hehehe [by the way] definition yang agriculture tu [your definition of biotechnology as agriculture] seems to be what the general public thinks - it means that and herbal medicine. It’s too simplified. I heard a speech someone gave in Kedah or something. He was talking about the plight of Malay farmers and he said, “kita sekarang sudah ada teknologi yang boleh menolong petani melipatgandakan hasil teknologi - ini dipanggil bioteknologi.” [”We now have technology that can help farmers multiply their output, it’s called biotechnology.”] It won’t work if idiots head our knowledge industries.

Q: I see.

25 January 2008 | Uncategorized | Comments