Also present at the event were Inbit Biotech Sdn Bhd Executive Chairman Dato’ Loke Yeu Loong, Director Zadey Che Wan, IP Development Consultant Mohd Nasir Shafion, Darell Chen, Vivien Wong, Jin Lai, Daniel Lee, Joanne Tee, Eric Chin, Yap Chin Hong, Kinki Law, Suzanne Lim and Ng Lai Cheng; UTAR Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS) Dean Emeritus Prof Dr Cheong Soon Keng, Centre for Cancer Research Chairperson-cum-Postgraduate Programmes Head Prof Ts Dr Lim Yang Mooi, Division of Community and International Networking Director Assoc Prof Dr Lai Soon Onn, FMHS Programme coordinator Dr Ng Foong Leng, Dr Fong Lai Yen, Department of Pre-clinical Sciences Dr Ling Wei Chih, Department of Chinese Medicine Lecturer Leu Kim Fey, Postdoctoral fellow Dr Menaga Subramanium, PG student Poo Chin Long, Ooi Kai Xin, Tong Shi Rou, Jong Hui Lan, and Norasiken.

Speaking at the ceremony, Prof Ewe welcomed the distinguished guests and expressed his gratitude for the fruitful relationship with Inbit Biotech Sdn Bhd as proven in the past. He congratulated the team consisting of researchers from UTAR, Royal Bird’s Nest Sdn Bhd, and the University of Manchester for winning Gold Award at the 29th International Invention & Innovation Exhibition (ITEX) 2018, where UTAR was represented by Prof Lim and Royal Bird’s Nest Sdn Bhd was represented by Dato’ Tan.

He also thanked Royal Bird’s Nest International for providing UTAR funds to study the effect of edible bird’s nest on global gene and protein expression in human mesenchymal stem cell, as well as the effect of edible bird nest on human immunity. According to him, UTAR and Royal Bird’s Nest International have received a research grant from the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Department of Veterinary Services Malaysia (MOA-DVS) to further study the effect of edible bird nest on human immunity and neuro-protection, particularly focusing on Parkinson.

“Today we are here to strengthen the bond with Inbit Biotech Sdn Bhd. I was told that the projects on enhancing immunity and neuro-protection will be continued while the anti-ageing research will be initiated soon. I was also informed that there are new projects in discussion relating to herbal plant and cancer pain management. Well done for the research you have completed thus far and all the best for the ongoing ones and that are yet to come,” he said.

On the other hand, Dato’ Tan said, “There are a lot of achievements throughout our collaboration since 2012. As Prof Ewe mentioned earlier, we have ventured into several research areas focusing on anti-ageing, neuro-diseases and immunity.” He continued, “Today marks another new milestone for all of us. We are now focusing on areas such as wellness and healthcare, which are looking beyond edible bird nest.” He also congratulated UTAR for the achievement in the Keysight IoT Innovation Challenge which was held in New York, USA. The UTAR team won first place in the competition involving 300 competitors from different universities.