In my opinion, the most used word in biotechnology this year was “biodiversity”. Throughout the year, I did not hear any other word used as profusely as this one while writing about the industry.

I don’t like the word and there is a reason for it. It is the context in which it is used, to mean the potential or advantage that Malaysia has. And I have a problem with potential for two reasons.

First, I am impatient when it comes to seeing progress and you can blame my young blood for that. Second, I am afraid biotechnology will be in  the same predicament years down the road as the information and communications technology (ICT) industry today — being neither here nor there in any of its subsectors. It’s neither first nor last, but one thing is for sure: it is always trailing behind its peers in other countries.

This is the problem with being a middle-income nation and that is my problem with potential. Whether you are talking about Malaysia’s multi-ethnic composition — which is perfect for clinical trials — or the abundance of palm oil and jatropha for biofuel production, those are all just potential spaces where the country can play to transform itself into a high-income economy.

But before we can make the leap, there has to be a strong base to leap off from. To do that, we have to go back to the basics. To be a leading innovator, Malaysian researchers have to build their reputation by conducting cutting-edge research that the world needs in the name of science.

They can’t afford to work in silos anymore but have to participate in the global innovation process.
Money should be spent more wisely. We should be able to cut losses on failed ventures and pump more money into R&D. Current gross expenditure on R&D is only 0.69% of GDP. Even when doubled, it is less than what developed countries invest.

You can’t have innovation without the right talent. An industry is made up of people and any thriving industry requires good people. We may choose to build as many research facilities or national innovation centres as we please, but if we don’t have good talent spearheading it, we are just a tortoise in a race filled with hares. Until we can begin to address the brain drain problem in Malaysia and start grooming local talent, the race will never be won.

The managing director of Burrill & Co, Roger Wyse, made a salient point during the International Advisory Panel meeting this year. He pointed out that for every market where Malaysia has an advantage, there are others that are also going for the top spot — and are executing better than Malaysia.

This probably sums up the situation faced not just in biotechnology but also in every other sector where Malaysia plays.
The crunch time is now, when Malaysia is at a crossroads to make that leap. I hope I will not still be writing about what others think Malaysia’s potential is one year from now.

Instead, what would make me happy would be if I were to know that the world recognises Malaysia as No 1 in at least one area — be it biofuel, clinical trials, nutraceuticals or contract manufacturing. Then, we would have made real progress and finally found a place in the biotechnology global value chain.

This article appeared in netv@lue2.0, the technology section of The Edge Malaysia, Issue 787 Dec 28 - Jan 10 2010