Malaysia, Australia Strengthen Women’s Role in Biotech Collaboration

PUTRAJAYA, April 8 (Bernama) -- Malaysia and Australia reaffirm their commitment to strengthening women’s participation and leadership in science, technology and innovation (STI), particularly in high-growth sectors such as biotechnology, in building a more inclusive and competitive national innovation ecosystem.

This commitment was highlighted in conjunction with the inaugural Malaysia–Australia Women in Biotechnology Luncheon, jointly organised by Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), held at Zenith Hotel Putrajaya on 7 April 2026.

High Commissioner of Australia to Malaysia, Her Excellency Ms Danielle Heinecke, said, “The Australian Government is proud to be partnering with Malaysia on health. Through our key regional health cooperation platform, Partnerships for a Healthy Region, we are investing over AUD8.7 million – supporting Australian institutions like CSIRO to work with Malaysian partner organisations to develop Malaysia’s vaccine manufacturing and commercialisation capabilities, and to expand access to essential health services. Most of the world’s complex problems can’t be solved without forming these sorts of partnerships. And they can’t be solved without including everyone, including women and girls, and strengthening their roles in the biotechnology ecosystem.”

Women are already a significant force in Malaysia’s scientific community, representing nearly 50 percent of researchers in the country — higher than the Asia-Pacific average of 23.9 percent. However, greater focus must be placed on improving leadership progression, entrepreneurship development, and career retention, and this is where global collaboration with partners such as Australia can help accelerate these efforts. This was highlighted by the Undersecretary of Strategic Technology and S&T Application Division of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Puan Aidawati binti Misdar in her keynote address during the event.

It was also highlighted that efforts to strengthen women’s participation in the STI workforce, including upskilling and reskilling programmes, mentoring platforms, and flexible work arrangements, align with Malaysia’s National Science, Technology and Innovation Policy 2021–2030 and the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0.

Both CSIRO’s ON Accelerate and Bioeconomy Corporation’s Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) programmes were highlighted as key platforms supporting research commercialisation and the growth of biotechnology enterprises. Currently, 47 women-led companies under the BBA programme have received facilitation support, contributing to Malaysia’s growing bio-innovation ecosystem.

The luncheon, themed “Inspire, Influence, Involve”, also featured discussions on navigating challenges as women in biotechnology, as well as strengthening women’s roles at the intersection of science, industry, and policy. The event, supported by exclusive event partners BioVerde Technologies Sdn Bhd, Institute for Medical Research, Malaysia, and Global Precision Diagnostics Sdn Bhd, brought together more than 100 participants, comprising senior representatives from the government, research institutions, and industry. The event concluded with a shared commitment by Malaysia and Australia to deepen cooperation in biotechnology, particularly in enabling more women-led innovations to scale globally and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

About Bioeconomy Corporation

Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation) is Malaysia’s leader in economic development for the biotechnology and bio-based industries, operating under the purview of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

Bioeconomy Corporation supports businesses, academia, and scientific communities by providing facilitation, advisory, as well as ecosystem development services, covering business, market access, investment, R&D and commercialisation, human capital development, financial assistance, legal and regulatory framework, with government support and commitment.

Its flagship programmes include BioNexus Status, a government-supported recognition awarded to eligible biotechnology companies, providing them with facilitation and incentives to grow their business. It also offers the Bio-based Accelerator programme to help emerging bio-based companies scale up and commercialise their innovations.

For further details, visit www.bioeconomycorporation.my
 
About CSIRO

CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) is Australia’s national science agency and innovation catalyst. We solve the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Our collaborative research turns science into solutions for food security and quality; clean energy and resources; health and wellbeing; resilient and valuable environments; innovative industries; and a secure Australia and region.

SOURCE: Bioeconomy Corporation

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Bioeconomy Corporation
Name: Nur Akmar Yusoff
Senior Executive,
Strategic Communication
Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation
Tel: +6012 690 6108
Email: akmar.yusoff@bioeconomycorporation.my

--BERNAMA