KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 1 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has now over 2,200 sponsored clinical research conducted since 2012, with over 25,000 trial participants in these studies across different therapeutic areas, according to recent data inferred by Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM). Clinical Research Malaysia is a Global Trusted Research Management Organisation by the Ministry of Health that was given the mandate to catalyze sponsored research in the nation through building a robust clinical research ecosystem.

Clinical research has always been at the forefront of drug development and emerging innovative therapies. The Government of Malaysia recognized the value of clinical trials and has since built clinical research as an agenda within its 2010 National Economic Plan, lending to the establishment of CRM. The aim is to enable a facilitative ecosystem for global institutions (eg: pharmaceuticals, medical device companies and biotechnology companies) as well as the local industry to conduct clinical research in Malaysia.

The expansion of clinical research since CRM’s formation has been especially impactful to patients enrolled in these studies. Close to 30% of the studies that were conducted in Malaysia are in cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetes, which coincidentally are also the top three non-communicable diseases in Malaysia. Most importantly, these studies help address the unmet needs of the trial participants, especially in having early access to innovative investigative therapies when all other treatment options have been exhausted.

The scope of patients that have access to these trials has been cast wide with many of the tertiary public hospitals, university hospitals and several private centers having clinical research conducted by respective institutions’ clinicians. “As all medical procedures and clinical care of trial participants within sponsored clinical research are funded by the study sponsor, sponsored clinical research is also viewed as means that could help alleviate healthcare burden of the institution,” added Dr Ros Suzanna Ahmad Bustamam (Head of Oncology & Radiotherapy Department in Hospital Kuala Lumpur and Head of Oncology & Radiotherapy Service in Ministry of Health) when asked about the added value of clinical research.

The growth of global clinical research in Malaysia have been consistent since the establishment of CRM, especially with the last 4 years showing surplus growth annually. Just last month, CRM announced the highest record of new trials in Malaysia, breaking prior years’ achievements with 245 clinical research approved by ethics committees in year 2023 alone. Championing humanity as its principle, CRM has been in the forefront in improving access of clinical trials into Malaysia through global engagements. Activities in the past months saw CRM’s engagements during ESMO (European Society for Medical Oncology) Congress that was held at Madrid, Global Partners Consultation program by Princess Margaret Cancer Centre in Canada, Regional Asian Clinical Trial Annual (REACTA) Forum in Chiba, Japan and Clinical Research Governance World Conference in Hong Kong, all aimed towards bringing impactful trials to Malaysia in addition to exploring collaborations that would further enhance Malaysia’s clinical research capabilities, especially in early phase clinical research.

Besides the intangible benefit of addressing unmet needs of Malaysian patients, clinical research has also significantly contributed over RM 1 billion in Gross National Income since 2012 and created over 2600 new skilled jobs in clinical research within the country. These coupled with Malaysia’s track record for having delivered consistent performance in global clinical research through speed, quality & reliability has positioned the country as a strategic clinical research hub within the region.  

About Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) 
Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) is a Global Trusted Research Management Organisation established by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in 2012. The organisation is guided by the principles of Humanity, Stability and Sustainability in providing global clinical trial solutions and enabling a thriving clinical research ecosystem in the country. At its very core, CRM aims to bring clinical research that addresses the unmet needs of patients and transforms health outcomes in Malaysia.
 
CRM delivers sponsored clinical trials with Speed, Reliability and Quality through operational excellence and working with stakeholders by providing end-to-end clinical research support services. Certified with both ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) and ISO 37001:2016 (Anti-Bribery Management System), and being aligned to international regulations, our core values and code of conduct are ingrained throughout CRM. The strength of this organisation lies in the people of CRM as we strive in our vision to make Malaysia the preferred clinical research hub in Asia.
 
SOURCE : Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Asha Thanabalan
Tel: +6012- 364 8043 | +603-7931 5566 (ext. 122)   
Email: asha@clinicalresearch.my  

--BERNAMA