Pahang to host world’s largest stem cell manufacturing plant

With the Bio-Cellular Research Organisation’s facility in Malaysia, the cost of stem cell treatments is
expected to become more affordable to Malaysians

THE East Coast Economic Region (ECER) will host the world’s largest stem cell manufacturing facility
when US-based Bio-Cellular Research Organisation (BCRO) sets up operations there.

Pahang Technology Resources Sdn Bhd and BCRO Stem Cell Xenotransplantation Sdn Bhd will sign a
memorandum of understanding on January 28, witnessed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah
Ahmad Badawi, the ECER Secretariat said in a statement issued yesterday.

Stem cell transplantation researcher BCRO will site its main manufacturing plant in Pahang from its
present location in Slovakia.

BCRO is projecting an estimated RM280 million over a three-year period to transfer its technical
know-how by its scientists from the US and European Union.

It supplies stem cell transplants to doctors and hospitals in North and South America, Europe, Africa,
Asia and Australia.

It has extended treatments to 200 patients in South East Asia, Hong Kong and Australia, including
about 100 cases in Malaysia over the last two and a half years.

Medical researchers anticipate stem cells to treat cancer, type 1 diabetes, spinal cord injuries and
muscle damage, among other diseases.

With the BCRO’s facility in Malaysia, the cost of stem cell treatments is expected to become more
affordable to Malaysians.

— Business Times