Puchong, Thursday (July 17, 2014) – Bio-based industry developer, Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation (BiotechCorp) launched its first BioShoppe retail presence which features primarily health and beauty products from its stable of BioNexus Status Companies in a ceremony officiated by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin at Nova Natural Supplement and Skincare, IOI Mall today.

BiotechCorp Chief Executive, Dato’ Dr. Mohd Nazlee Kamal said that it is very important that science find its way to be translated into economy for the nation and its people to benefit.

“We are extremely excited with the opening of our first retail presence within Nova Natural Supplement and Skincare shop as we now have the chance to build a platform where products of sciences transcend from the fields and farms, into laboratories and now, into retail outlets where it will end up in customers.

BioShoppe is a key approach taken by BiotechCorp to enhance market access for local biotech products,” said Dato Dr. Mohd Nazlee.

He also pointed out that the goal of BioShoppe is to put together high quality products produced by BioNexus companies and market them under strategic marketing programmes.

According to him, BioNexus Status Companies remains at the crux of Malaysia’s bioeconomy, where they contribute close to RM4 billion in investments to the Malaysian economy.

BioShoppe, which was showcased for the first time overseas during BIO San Diego recently, will start out as collaboration between BiotechCorp and Nova Laboratories and will be featured inside Nova Laboratories flagship store in IOI Mall, Puchong.

Dato’ Mohd Nazlee said that establishing the first BioShoppe in retail is a major step aimed at intensifying visibility and market acceptance of Healthcare related biotechnology products.

“Over 80 types of products from functional beverages, cosmetics and body care to herbal supplements are selected from 13 BioNexus companies. We are expecting more similar collaborations in the future,” he said.

MOSTI Minister Datuk Dr. Ewon Ebin who has graced the launching of the BioShoppe at Nova flagship store, said that Bioshoppe complements perfectly the MOSTI Commercialisation Year 2014 programme as both initiatives seek to increase the introduction of new products into the market.

“This is an important initiative for our nation’s future well-being as nurturing a sustainable Bioeconomy and our natural competitive edge will ultimately propel Malaysia’s socio-economic position to greater heights. All these efforts requires the efforts not just from the government, but from everyone to make it work,” he said in his officiating speech.

Also unveiled at the launching ceremony was the “BioNexus Product Logo” which aims to further help encourage recognition and encourage consumer confidence.

Dato’ Dr. Mohd Nazlee said that the BioNexus product logo will represent the highest standards in science, quality and consumer satisfaction – and will appear on all BioNexus products.

“Creating a BioNexus product logo is part of the brand and promotion strategies to create effective market appearance that will enhance recognition of the quality products by BioNexus companies, which will lead to increased revenue generation,” he added.