By: Noor Eszereen Juferi
Photo: Noor Azreen Awang
KUALA LUMPUR, 7 Mac – The Laboratory of Molecular Biomedicine, Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Royal Bird’s Nest Sdn. Bhd. (RBN) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) of collaboration to commercialise First-in-human Clinical trial on ‘The Aging Well with Edible Bird’s Nest (EBN)’ (AWEsome).
Vice-Chancellor of UPM, Prof. Datin Paduka Dato’ Dr. Aini Ideris said through this MoA, both UPM and RBN will carry out two research and development activities together including the primary research programme, AWEsome.
“As a research university with vast experience in research and innovation, UPM intends to offer RBN and other companies’ collaboration opportunities as well as to establish itself as home for research and innovation of high-value product development such as with the EBN that will be developed under this MoA,” she added.
Group Director General and Chief Executive Officer of RBN, Dato’ Tan Chee Hong said that this strategic partnership helps elevate the Centre of Excellence on Swiftlets (COE Swiftlet) UPM and RBN’s reputation as a pioneer in leading scientific research.
“Our company focuses on research, development, innovation and commercialisation of swiftlet bird’s nest and has produced more than 40 types of products on health supplements and skin care, as well as different products of current lifestyle needs,” he said.
Meanwhile, UPM and RBN will share two research and development activities together including the main research programme, AWEsome. Both research projects are clinical trials on anti-aging properties of edible bird’s nest (EBN) and Nutraceuticals, a technology platform based on EBN Prebiotic Biopeptides.
The main aim of the collaboration is to conduct research on the nutra-cosmeceutical values of edible bird’s nest for aging well. This research is also supported by the Centre of Excellence on Swiftlets and the Department of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industries.
The AWEsome research team is lead by Prof. Dr. Maznah Ismail and assisted by other members namely Prof. Datin Dr. Rozi Mahmud, Dr. Norhasnida Zawawi, Dr. Ooi Der Jiun, Chuan Kim Wei, Norsharina Ismail and Salwana Ahmad.
AWEsome has been conducting research on EBN for the last five years.
In addition to edible bird’s nest, the team also focuses on researching on food and local bio-source plants that can be used to improve the overall health of Malaysians and the global community, as well as to discover the best formula of nutrigenomic mechanism in the aging process. - UPM
