From 18-20 June 2025, Cancer Research Malaysia (CRMY) participated in the 2nd UK-SEA Vaccine Manufacturing Research Hub (UK-SEA VAX Hub) All Partners Meeting, held at Monash University Malaysia. CRMY Technologies Sdn Bhd (CTSB), the commercial arm and wholly owned subsidiary of CRMY, was invited by Bioeconomy Corporation Malaysia to showcase its cancer vaccine research as part of the Bio-based Accelerator Programme.
The meeting brought together over 160 delegates, including researchers, industry leaders, policymakers, and students from Southeast Asia and the United Kingdom. The UK-SEA VAX Hub, funded by £7.6 million (~MYR 43.5 million) through UK aid, aims to strengthen vaccine research, development, and manufacturing capabilities across the region, with a long-term goal of improving regional vaccine independence by 2030.
During the event, Dr Lim Kue Peng, Head of Cancer Immunology & Immunotherapy at CRMY, and Dr Low Ley Hian, Head of Business Development at CTSB, presented CRMY’s progress in developing Malaysia’s first cancer vaccine candidate. The team had the opportunity to share this work with key stakeholders including YB Dato’ Haji Mohammad Yusof bin Apdal, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), and His Excellency Ajay Sharma, British High Commissioner to Malaysia.
The presentation highlighted CRMY’s innovative DNA-based cancer vaccine platform, which has demonstrated up to 97% tumour growth inhibition in preclinical models when used in combination with immune checkpoint inhibitors. The vaccine is being developed to stimulate the immune system to recognise and attack cancers that disproportionately affect Asian populations, including oral cancer.
As the programme progresses towards clinical development, CRMY aims to contribute to regional innovation in cancer therapeutics while bringing new hope for improved treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients.