| Innovation |
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER , 2021 | THE HEALTH
11
Abdul Rahman with his team .
I am a strong believer of routine blood test check-ups . With the advancement of technologies , I believe every problem has its solution . If we can promote routine blood tests and ensure it is done regularly , perhaps we may be able to save more lives and save the Government ’ s budget on treatment .” — Abdul Rahman
Abdul Rahman explained : “ Molecular diagnostic will be vital for healthcare going forward . With molecular diagnostic , we will not just be able to test current health issues but detect markers of potential disease or health risks before they are even triggered .” “ Let me give a good example on this . Lung cancer is the third common cancer in Malaysia and estimated to comprise around 10 per cent of cancer cases .
“ And mostly the cases are diagnosed at an advance stage and there is a study that shows the average survival rate is only 18 weeks .
“ Imagine if we are able to diagnose and treat these cases earlier . We might be able to saves more lives and perhaps in some cases we may be able to increase their survival rate .”
While he noted Malaysia was far behind in embracing molecular diagnostics , there is a definite potential .
“ Before the pandemic , many were not aware of molecular diagnostic testing . Now almost everyone knows about the PCR test for Covid-19 , which uses molecular diagnostic precision testing .”
Abdul Rahman believes molecular diagnostics tests for personalised or preventative treatment can be introduced to Malaysia with solid marketing .
Expansion and plans
It is estimated in 2020 , the clinical laboratory services market will be around US $ 2 million and expected to reach US $ 3.1 million in 2028 with a CAGR of 5.8 per cent .
“ There is a big market and growth potential . It is estimated the molecular diagnostic market grows at 40 per cent annually in the Asian region ,” shared Abdul Rahman .
The Malaysian clinical laboratories testing ( CLT ) market , he said is expected to continue growing , driven by a shift toward preventive healthcare , rising demand , population aging and growth of medical tourism .
The market for healthcare services in Malaysia is less developed , with many clinical testing services being unavailable outside of cities .
“ We recognise the challenge of healthcare providers to send samples due to geographical reasons . As such , we are aiming to have our lab in each State in Malaysia .
This is our first laboratory , and we still have more space to expand . So , we are currently setting up additional machinery and equipment to increase the clinical and Covid-19 diagnostics capacity .
“ We are also in the process of setting up a tuberculosis ( TB ) lab as it requires a separate lab area .
“ After we have settled with the lab and capacity expansion plans here and stabilised the operations , we plan to duplicate and open SpyGene labs nationwide , starting with Terengganu and Kelantan .
Reaching out to the B40 group
SpyGene wants to tackle diagnostic tests for both present and future health risks . It wants to expand and develop molecular diagnostic services to a higher level while ensuring it is affordable .
He added : “ I am a strong believer of routine blood test check-ups . With the advancement of technologies , I believe every problem has its solution .
“ If we can promote routine blood tests and ensure it is done regularly , perhaps we may be able to save more lives and save the Government ’ s budget on treatment .
“ I would like to work with organisations and people ’ s representative to reach out to the B40 group .
“ Get in touch with our business partners and we will ensure routine blood tests are affordable for you .”
He shared that he is also currently looking for ways to work with the MoH in covering the B40 communities for routine blood tests .
Apart from that , Abdul Rahman is also interested in incorporating halal toyyiban practices into the clinical and molecular diagnostic laboratory business .
“ We aim to be the pioneer as a halal certified clinical diagnostic laboratory service provider , and I ’ m hoping to work with other partners in Southeast Asia and the Middle East for the concept and revolutionised the outlook for clinical laboratory services .
They will work with relevant experts to create a framework for this purpose , which will be the new dimension of Clinical Diagnostic Laboratory services . — The Health
Law ( fourth from left ) with his team and business partners .
Grand opening ceremony
BY FATIHAH MANAF
SPYGENE LABORATORIES Sdn Bhd marked its official launch on Nov 6 with a grand opening ceremony . The event was attended by several guests and SpyGene ’ s key partners . To ensure the safety of everyone attending , guests were required to undergo a Covid-19 screening test during the registration .
SpyGene Laboratories , established in June 2021 by Revongen Corporation Sdn Bhd , began its operations in October this year . Together with its partner , DoctorOnCall , SpyGene aims to deliver laboratory services to your doorsteps . It also aims to be the first halalcertified clinical diagnostic laboratory services provider .
EL Law , CEO and Founder of Revongen Corporation , who officiated the opening said : “ We had the idea of setting up this lab during the first Movement Control Order ( MCO ) when everybody was rushing to do PCR tests .
“ At that time , a couple of people approached us , and we thought of going into mobile units ( to move around ). However , due to the technicalities at that time , the Ministry of Health ( MoH ) was also very sceptical and careful with the risks and compliances , so we put it on hold .”
Law said the name ‘ Spy ’ in SpyGene implies the spirit of ‘ spying ’ to accurately determine the causes of diseases . It seeks to help doctors provide the best solutions , treatment , and diagnoses for patients . He believed that the medical devices businesses would be the next wave after gloves .
Working together to expand
SpyGene CEO Abdul Rahman Wahiduddin emphasised the importance of diagnostic testing routines . He said routine tests would help detect chronic diseases , usually discovered at an advanced stage . He stated that SpyGene would be able to provide the public with affordable prices for the tests by working together with numerous players in the ecosystem . The affordability of the services was one of the best ways to encourage more routine tests among the public .
“ One of my dreams is to revolutionise the clinical diagnostic laboratory sector , where we want to be the first halal clinical diagnostic laboratory . Malaysia has always been known to the world as a halal hub . So , if we work together on this , we will be able to expand together and may set an example Law officiates the opening . for other countries ,” shared Abdul Rahman .
“ We hope together with Mindray , Chemopharm and SpyGene , we can contribute more to society and provide the world a top solution ,” said Horace Wang , General Manager ASEAN 1 of Mindray Medical Sdn Bhd .
Mohd Hafis from Chemopharm Sdn Bhd shared that the company felt very honoured to be one of the main vendors for SpyGene . Sue Chan then added that the company was dedicated to becoming the most trusted partner in the industry and bringing its stakeholders ’ performance to a higher level .
Hazwan Najib , Co-Founder and the Chief Marketing Officer of DoctorOnCall , congratulated SpyGene on its opening . He revealed that the partnership with SpyGene aimed to bring the best , convenient and safest healthcare services .
Before the opening ceremony , guests were given a brief tour of SpyGene Laboratories where they were introduced to the machines and technology used by SpyGene in its operations .