Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) announced today a collaboration between its Bioprocessing and Biomanufacturing Research Centre (BBRC) and biotechnology company PNT Research. Both parties will work to enhance the efficacy of functional ingredients to contribute towards a society with healthy ageing. The collaboration will delve into the huge potential microalgae bring in preventing oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress had been linked to many chronic diseases, such as cancer, diabetics, Alzheimer's disease and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
Oxidative stress is caused by an excess of free radicals in the body's cells and can damage cells, proteins, and DNA.
It leads to premature ageing and is increasingly common due to many factors including ageing, lifestyle changes, stress and pollution.
To help find a solution, BBRC head Professor Dr. Arbakariya Ariff is leading his team to study marine microalgae TetraSOD®, which is touted as the most potent antioxidant and nutritious marine microalgae functional ingredient.
“We are excited to work with PNT Research, starting by enhancing the efficacy of TetraSOD® (Tetraselmis chuii) and followed by other functional ingredients.
“It will minimise the damage of time and let people achieve healthy ageing, so that they may recover from illness more quickly and reduce the risk of getting a chronic disease,” he said.
PNT Research managing director, Lee Bin Hao, said the partnership with UPM builds on a simple yet powerful goal: to make quality and affordable functional ingredient products accessible for people.
“The world population is ageing, and Malaysia is no exception. As patriotic citizens, we want to contribute back to the community, starting with TetraSOD®.
“Our work will be built on a foundation of serious science, with the best interest of academia, industry and consumers in mind,” he said.
Also present were representatives from Spanish side Fitoplancton Marino; the world leader in marine microalgae production, Swiss side DKSH which is the world leader in market expansion services; Germany’s Gelita which leads the world in collagen technology.
Strategic alliance
1. Fitoplancton Marino
The inventor of TetraSOD®, marine biotech company Fitoplancton Marino, lauded the collaboration as a partnership that will inject new vitality into the R&D of functional ingredients.
Fitoplancton Marino director general Carlos Unamunzaga said: “We are delighted to see our partners expand their innovation capabilities. The industry will significantly benefit from the new on-the-ground expertise in Malaysia as a result of the collaboration between UPM and PNT Research.
“We are committed to collaborating closely with our business partners, sharing technical know-how and explore new ways to improve product performance,” said Unamunzaga.
“We look forward to strengthening our strategic alliance with PNT Research, which is to push the boundaries of science in delivering health and wellness.
“We are confident they will achieve great things with UPM, which is among the best and has been ranked 28th best university in Asia this year,” he added.
2. DKSH
DKSH, the world’s leading Market Expansion Services provider, congratulated PNT Research on its collaboration with UPM.
DKSH South East Asia director (Performance Materials, Indonesia, Malaysia & Singapore), Victor Liew, said: “DKSH enjoys a strong working relationship with PNT Research – based on a mutual purpose to enrich people’s lives – supporting our business partner with dedication that combines Swiss reliability and our Asian can-do attitude.
“DKSH shares the mission and vision of PNT Research and looks forward to working closely with PNT Research in delivering functional ingredients and nutraceutical solutions of the highest standard, comprehensive technical expertise and sophisticated solutions.
“We are delighted to see our business partners expand their innovation capabilities,” he said.
3. Gelita AG
Gelita, the world’s number one company in collagen research, also sent a congratulatory message.
In his message, Gelita representative manager for Southeast Asia, Louis Emmanuel Jaillon, stated that Gelita and PNT Research are committed to deliver innovation to drive functional ingredient products to the market.
He expressed Gelita’s readiness to do more with the Malaysian side to improve the quality of life for people.
“We own many patents and are number one company in collagen research. We share the same mission and vision with PNT Research and UPM in improving quality of life,” he said.
Sariya Chubpailin, business coordinator at Gelita Thailand, said: “We believe that the collaboration between UPM and PNT Research will make a useful contribution to improve health and wellness for people,” she said.
