Malaysia the preferred destination for global clinical trials - Dr Zaliha

Health Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said that due to Malaysia's unique ethnic diversity makeup, clinical research outcomes from its sites also provided added value to observations and findings in drug discovery.

"It is gratifying to observe how Malaysia has evolved as one of the main players within Southeast Asia in clinical research setting," she said in her speech at the charter agreement signing ceremony between Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) and Syneos Health, here, today.

Dr Zaliha said the data accumulated, so far, had shown tremendous progress made in sponsored clinical trials, including the good work led by investigators within the Ministry of Health (MOH) sites, adding that since 2012, Malaysia had conducted over 2,000 sponsored research, all amounting close to RM1 billion of gross national income contributed by contract values of clinical studies conducted.

She also noted that the country's sites and study team have achieved top recruiters (for clinical research) and first recruiters among other global sites.

For instance, she said, the Sarawak General Hospital achieved the global top recruiter and first recruiter within the region in at least four studies conducted this year.

"Not to forget, Malaysia now has two Phase 1 sites that are accredited by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency that are able to conduct First-in-Human studies," she added.

She pointed out that it was crucial to ensure close relationships and partnerships are built between stakeholders to further improve and drive the quality of clinical trial conduct.

"This charter agreement signed today is exemplary of that, with both Syneos Health and CRM working hand in hand to ensure the MOH sites will have increased visibility and access to study aligned to the study team's research interests," she said, adding that it would also unlock new opportunities to improve the quality of clinical trials and discovery of new treatment and local drugs.

Earlier, Dr Zaliha and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah witnessed the signing of the charter agreement between CRM chief executive officer Dr Akhmal Yusof and Syneos Health general manager and Regional Head of Asia Pacific Dr Ken Lee.

The agreement formalises the inclusion of CRM-affiliated clinical research sites under the Syneos Health Catalyst Programme.

Syneos Health is a global organisation specialising in helping companies with late-stage clinical trials.