1st GLOBAL SEEKS TO TURN TOBACCO SPECIES INTO PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 15 (Bernama) -- 1st Global Biotech (M) Sdn Bhd, a leader
in research and development (R&D) of enzyme-based products, is working towards
turning tobacco species into pharmaceutical products.
Its chief executive officer Professor Suffian Jusoh said the Science,
Technology and Innovation Ministry had approved RM5 million for the project for
a two-year period.
"The ministry released one million ringgit last week to start the research,"
Suffian told reporters at a media conference here today.
The company was now working closely with its joint-venture partner,
Taiwan-based Biozyme Biotech, to transfer the technology from Taiwan to
Malaysia, he said.
According to Suffian, the research is aimed at extracting Coenzyme Q10
(CoQ10)from tobacco leaves.
CoQ10 has a naturally stimulating effect on the energy-intensive cells of
the heart and acts as an antioxidant to help protect the body from free
radicals, he said.
Zymtech Corporation Sdn Bhd's managing director Raymond Chan said the
company, a subsidiary of 1st Global, planned to be a global leader in supplying
enzyme-based health supplements.
The company was targeting to market its enzyme-based products to countries
like Indonesia and China, Chan said.
"Demand for Zymtech products has been encouraging with the world growing in
awareness about enzyme supplements," he said. -- BERNAMA
WNA LC