All-in-one centre to boost biotech

Star: KEPALA BATAS: The new Advanced Medical and Dental Institute (AMDI) of Universiti Sains Malaysia here will expedite the biotechnology industry in the country, its director Dr Ramli Saad said.
The RM958mil institute will be the first in the country to house clinical, academic and research facilities under one roof.
Dr Ramli said the institute would be completed only in 2015, although operations would start in 2010.
He said AMDI would be running at half its capacity during its first year of operation.
“It will generate advanced research activities as well as utilise contemporary technology in medicine and dentistry,” he said at a press conference.
“AMDI will also generate novel discoveries and new insights in medicine and dentistry that will form the basis of future medical and dental practices,” he added.
He said AMDI would have the unique feature of “all-in-one” where it would plant herbs for the development of pharmaceutical products and rear animals for clinical tests.
“We would also have a centre where patients can be treated with new medicines and existing ones.”
AMDI is to have a staff force of 2,000 and hopes to attract 200 local and international postgraduate students.
A total of 1,200 test patients will be treated a day and an operational budget of RM250mil a year will be allocated.