KUALA LUMPUR (June 30): ACE Market-listed Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (MGRC) is adding companion diagnostics and cancer immunotherapy based on Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cells to its portfolio of products and services in Southeast Asia.

In a statement today, MGRC said it has secured up to 20 years of exclusive licensing rights for Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and five other Southeast Asian countries related to CAR T-cell therapy for solid cancers of organs such as the liver, pancreas and stomach under a tripartite licensing agreement signed recently with ICARTAB Biomedical (iCARTab) and Advance Immune Therapeutics (AIT).

The genome sequencing and analysis, and genetic screening services procvider said CAR T-cell therapy is a form of immunotherapy which uses a patient's own blood to produce T-cells with CARs on their surface, requiring essential laboratory testing both before therapy to evaluate the patient's suitability and after therapy to monitor the treatment's effectiveness.

iCARTab, which currently operates two state-of-the-art laboratories in Ningbo and Shandong, China for cell manufacturing, has developed a CAR T-cell therapy for solid cancers, as cancers of solid organs such as the liver, pancreas and stomach are known.

AIT, an affiliate of iCARTab China, is in charge of identifying and managing clinical trials for iCARTab in Southeast Asia.

"Malaysian Genomics will be among the first companies to offer such cutting-edge services in Southeast Asia," said MGRC chief operating officer Sasha Nordin.

"Companion diagnostics and cancer immunotherapy based on CAR T-cells will enhance our portfolio of personalised healthcare products and services for doctors and medical centres. In the longer run, we are looking to explore CAR T-cell therapies for liquid cancers such as lymphoma and leukaemia, and we might also explore the possibility of developing our own CAR T-cell production lab," he added.

"We have been in genomics services and genetics testing for more than 15 years, and we have the necessary strengths to support the healthcare community's drive towards personalised care," he said, adding that the agreement is an opportunity for MGRC to contribute its experience towards improvements in cancer treatment.

Cancers of the lung and liver are two of the most common solid cancers in Southeast Asia. Those of the liver, pancreas, oesophagus, brain and central nervous system, stomach and mesothelioma in the lungs are among the 10 cancers with the lowest five-year survival rates. 

As at 11.06am, shares in MGRC were down one sen or 2.82% to 34.5 sen, valuing the company at RM35.71 million. Over the past quarter, the value of the share has risen 76.92% from 19.5 sen.