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.

Published: May 20, 2009