Kuala Lumpur, 9 October 2025 – The Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI) today launched the BioInnovation Launchpad 2025, an entrepreneurial development programme designed to address Malaysia’s commercialisation challenges, particularly in the bio-based and biotechnology sectors.
Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, YB Chang Lih Kang, said one of the key issues lies in the country’s less than satisfactory commercialisation rate of university research and development, with less than 10 percent successfully brought to market, according to a 2025 study by Universiti Putra Malaysia.
“This stems from a lack of funding, entrepreneurial skills, and continuous mentorship. BioInnovation Launchpad 2025, managed by the Malaysian Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corporation), stands out because it provides comprehensive and long-term support, unlike most entrepreneurship programmes that offer only short-term assistance,” he explained.
He added, “A total of 10 participants from universities, startups, and spin-off companies have been selected for the programme, showcasing 10 bio-innovation products with a combined market potential of RM13 million. These products are not only investment- and market-ready but also offer high-impact solutions in key areas such as health and wellness, agricultural biotechnology and food security, bio-based food, as well as industrial biotechnology and the circular economy.”
Bioeconomy Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, En. Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak, emphasised that the programme provides a clear pathway for graduates, researchers, and entrepreneurs to advance bio-innovation commercialisation, with the aim of nurturing startups with the potential to achieve Bio-based Accelerator (BBA) or BioNexus Status.
“Through this programme, we aim to develop at least 10 bio-entrepreneurs as future leaders of BBA or BioNexus Status companies. They are not left to navigate the journey alone – they receive end-to-end support, including mentoring, market access, regulatory guidance, funding opportunities, and facilitation. This ensures that their bio-innovations grow into sustainable, scalable businesses, positioning Malaysia on the global bioeconomy map and contributing to the 5% GDP target by 2030 under the National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 (DBN 2.0),” he said.
Participants will pitch their bio-innovation business ideas to investors, funders, and venture capital firms during the BioInnovation Launchpad Demo Day, held in conjunction with BioXCeed 2025 at NICE 2025. Three grand winners will receive RM60,000 in seed funding to accelerate commercialisation, while winners of the Best Pitcher and People’s Choice categories will each receive RM5,000.
BioXCeed 2025 brings together two innovation platforms jointly organised by Bioeconomy Corporation and the Malaysian Technology Development Corporation (MTDC). The collaboration reflects the shared aspiration of both organisations to push the boundaries of innovation — in line with the NICE 2025 mission to deliver practical solutions that drive commercialisation of local products and technologies and enable their entry into global markets.