Kuala lumpur: Glyken Bio Products Sdn Bhd (Glyken) and Japan's Ortho Group have inked a research collaboration worth more than RM4 million to explore the application of Glyken's proprietary bird's nest extracts in therapeutic medicine and healthcare development.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Malaysia's Bioeconomy Corporation stated that the initiative has the potential to generate a commercial value of up to RM40 million. The partnership aims to establish a platform for joint research, clinical studies, and healthcare innovation by leveraging the expertise of both parties to develop therapeutic and wellness solutions to support healthy longevity.
With increasing recognition of Glyken's nanopeptides as a premium wellness ingredient in Japan's health and beauty industry, the collaboration will combine Glyken's research capabilities with Ortho Group's expertise in wellness and clinical applications to explore new therapeutic solutions. The proposed collaboration was signed and exchanged between Glyken chief executive officer (CEO) and founder Eric Shak, and Ortho Group founder and chairman Dr Hiroyasu Tomo at Bioeconomy Corporation's office.
Bioeconomy Corporation CEO Mohd Khairul Fidzal Abdul Razak highlighted that the partnership builds on Glyken's growing presence in the Japanese market following its commercial distribution agreement signed with Japan Bansho Co Ltd, facilitated by Bioeconomy Corporation at Expo 2025 Osaka in May 2025. That milestone has since paved the way for Glyken's market expansion and strengthened its position within Japan's health and wellness sector.
By integrating Glyken's proprietary nanopeptide technology with Ortho Group's expertise in integrated medicine and healthcare development, this partnership creates opportunities to address emerging healthcare needs, particularly those arising from ageing populations, a shared challenge faced by both Malaysia and Japan.
Glyken CEO Eric Shak emphasized that the collaboration is a significant milestone for Malaysia's biotechnology industry, especially in bird's nest-based innovation. Partnering with such a leading healthcare and wellness group in Japan provides an opportunity to bring Glyken's technology to a wider market while creating solutions that can support the health needs of both Malaysian and Japanese communities, particularly amid the rise of ageing populations.
Ortho Group's Dr Hiroyasu Tomo expressed his inspiration after visiting Glyken's facility and understanding Shak's vision for bird's nest biotechnology. He conveyed hope that this collaboration will extend healthy life expectancy, not only in Japan and Malaysia, but globally.
Glyken is a Johor-based BioNexus Status company undertaking biotechnology activities in the research, development, validation and manufacturing of bird's nest extracts formulated into proprietary nanopeptide-based health and wellness products.