15/07/2026

BIZ & FINANCE WEDNESDAY | JULY 15, 2026

14

Glyken forms partnership with Japan’s Ortho Group

Ng: Engagements on proposed Kita Selangor Rail Line will continue

Ű BY HAYATUN RAZAK sunbiz@thesundaily.com

SHAH ALAM: Selangor will continue to engage with stakeholders on the proposed Kita Selangor Rail Line before finalising its alignment, said Selangor Executive Councillor for Investment, Trade and Mobility Ng Sze Han. He said the state government is still gathering views and suggestions from various parties before making a final decision. “At the moment, we are still receiving various views and suggestions, not only from the public but also from NGOs and others. We will take all these views into consideration and discuss them within the community,” he told reporters at the launch of the Business Linkage and Advancement Programme (BLAST) 2026 yesterday. Ng said a preliminary alignment for the rail line has already been identified but remains subject to changes based on stakeholder feedback. “The alignment for the rail project already exists, but it is not final. We can still make changes here and there based on the different views and feedback from all parties. Engagement will continue.” Ng said stakeholder engagement on the project will continue independently of any formal public hearing process. “A public hearing has its own separate process. Engagement with the public will continue at the same time.” Additional engagement sessions would also be held if the project involves land acquisition, Ng said. “Public engagement sessions will also be held if the project involves land acquisition.” investments like this can help local SMEs get more orders or projects. So this is one of the directions for the investment we bring into Selangor.” Ng disclosed that Selangor recorded RM33.5 billion in approved investments in the first quarter of 2026, the highest of any state, while the state’s 2025 gross domestic product reached RM460.1 billion, or 26.5% of the national economy. State registers RM33.5b approved investments in Q1 “These numbers matter. But approved investment is just the starting line. The real test is how many contracts our local companies win. It is how many Selangor SMEs enter the supply chains of the global companies we bring in. It is how many local firms grow from supplier to partner, and from partner to champion.” Ng said development economists have a warning for governments that chase investment without building local linkages. “They call it building ‘cathedrals in the desert’. “Big factories that look impressive but stand alone. They import everything, connect to nothing, and leave little behind. Selangor will not build cathedrals in the desert.” MTDC group CEO Mohammad Hazani Hassan said the programme is designed to give SMEs a clearer route into major supply chains. “Through BLAST, we are creating structured pathways for promising SMEs to engage with anchor companies, strengthen their industry readiness and compete for opportunities within strategic supply chains.” BLAST’s Ecosystem partners are Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation, Malaysia Aerospace Industry Association, National Tech Association of Malaysia and Malaysia Rail Industry Corporation. The programme is introduced under the Local Market Integration Programme of the Second Selangor Plan, which has yet to be tabled in the Selangor State Legislative Assembly. From page 13

Sin-Kung Logistics entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with AAHK yesterday, establishing a framework for both parties to leverage their respective strengths in identifying opportunities to facilitate cargo development, improve operational efficiency through digitalisation, and promote greater regional air cargo connectivity. AAHK is the statutory body responsible for the operation and development of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA), the world’s leading and busiest air cargo hub. Both parties will explore opportunities to develop multimodal logistics solutions, strengthen cargo connectivity and improve operational efficiency by leveraging each other’s expertise and capabilities. PETALING JAYA: Malaysia and Japan have taken a step forward in advancing biotechnology innovation through a pro posed research collaboration between BioNexus Status company Glyken Bio Products Sdn Bhd and Ortho Group to explore the application of Glyken’s pro prietary bird’s nest extracts in therapeutic medicine and healthcare development. Facilitated by Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corp), the collaboration aims to establish a platform for joint research, clinical studies and healthcare innovation by leveraging the expertise of both parties to develop thera peutic and wellness solutions. The collaboration agreement was signed and exchanged between Glyken CEO and founder Eric Shak and Ortho Group founder and chairman Dr Hiroyasu Tomo at Bioeconomy Corp’s office yesterday. Glyken is a Johor-based BioNexus Status company undertaking biotechnology acti vities in the research, development, validation and manufacturing of bird’s nest extracts formulated into proprietary nanopeptide based health and wellness products. Ortho Group is a medical and wellness conglomerate in Japan, specialising in integrated medicine by combining advanced Western medical practices with preventative and holistic healthcare approaches across healthcare, rehabilitation, wellness, and regenerative medicine solutions. With increasing recognition of Glyken’s nanopeptides as a premium wellness ingre dient in Japan’s health and beauty industry, the collaboration will combine Glyken’s research capabilities with Ortho Group’s expertise in wellness and clinical applications to explore new therapeutic solutions. Bioeconomy Corp CEO Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak said the collaboration with Ortho Group builds on Glyken’s growing presence in the Japanese market following its commercial distribution agreement signed with Japan Bansho Co Ltd, facilitated by o Johor-based firm in pact to jointly conduct research and develop therapeutic wellness solutions

The companies will explore the application of Glyken’s proprietary bird’s nest extracts in therapeutic medicine and healthcare development.

He added that HKIA is one of the world’s leading aviation and air cargo hubs, offering extensive global connectivity and world-class cargo infrastructure and by combining its strengths with their expertise in air cargo transportation, they look forward to pursuing opportunities that enhance their service capabilities, broaden their regional network and reinforce their long-term growth strategy. Ong said the collaboration is in line with Sin-Kung Logistics’ commitment to strengthening its position as a trusted air cargo transportation specialist while capitalising on growing regional trade flows and the increasing demand for integrated logistics solutions across Asia. The MoU will take effect immediately upon execution and will remain in force for an initial period of two years, providing a platform for both parties to pursue mutually beneficial opportunities in air cargo development and connectivity enhancement. “We both share the same aspiration to enhance health longevity. We hope this collaboration will serve as a catalyst to extend healthy life expectancy, not only in Japan and Malaysia, but across the world,” Tomo said. The collaboration supports the aspirations of the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 by accelerating technology transfer, streng thening clinical research capabilities, generating new intellectual property, and nurturing highly skilled biotechnology talent. reinforcing Bioeconomy Corp’s commitment to transforming Malaysia into a high technology bioinnovation nation under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0. Shak said the collaboration is a significant milestone for Malaysia’s biotechnology in dustry, especially in bird’s nest-based inno vation. “Partnering with such a leading healthcare and wellness group in Japan provides an opportunity to bring Glyken’s technology to a wider market while creating solutions that can support the health needs of both Malaysian and Japanese communities, particularly amid the rise of ageing popu lations,” he added. Tomo said he was inspired by the potential of bird’s nest biotechnology after visiting Glyken’s facility and gaining a deeper understanding of Shak’s vision.

Bioeconomy Corp in May last year during Expo 2025 Osaka. The milestone has since paved the way for Glyken’s market expansion and strengthened its position within Japan’s health and wellness sector. “With a research collaboration worth over RM4 million, this initiative has the potential to generate up to RM40 million in commer cialisation value through the development of innovative therapeutic medicine and wellness solutions. By integrating Glyken’s proprietary nanopeptide technology with Ortho Group’s expertise in integrated medicine and healthcare development, this partnership creates opportunities to address emerging healthcare needs, particularly those arising from ageing populations, a shared challenge faced by both Malaysia and Japan,” said Mohd Khairul. He added that translating Glyken’s local research findings into personalised health care approaches with Ortho Group could contribute to improved treatments for conditions such as osteoarthritis, bone defects, sports injuries, chronic wounds, and age-related musculoskeletal diseases. Mohd Khairul said the partnership lays the foundation for the establishment of an industry-led Malaysia-Japan Centre of Excellence for Therapeutic Medicine,

Sin-Kung Logistics, HK airport authority to collaborate PETALING JAYA: Air cargo transport specialist Sin-Kung Logistics Bhd is teaming up with Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) to pursue regional air cargo opportunities. The collaboration also provides a platform for Sin-Kung Logistics and AAHK to identify initiatives that support regional supply chainintegration and meet the evolving needs of international trade.

Sin-Kung Logistics group managing director and CEO Alan Ong said the collaboration marks another milestone in the Company’s strategy to strengthen its regional presence and expand its air cargo transportation capabilities. “The MoU provides a platform for us to work closely with AAHK to pursue opportunities that support regional air cargo development and strengthen connectivity between key cargo gateways. As trade flows continue to grow and supply chains become increasingly interconnected, we believe closer collaboration will enable both parties to identify initiatives that create greater value for customers while supporting the continued growth of cross-border trade.”