CRM Trial Connect Conference 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, 9 May 2024 – Malaysia has grown to be a regional hub for sponsored clinical research. This was revealed by the Minister of Health, YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad who officiated the CRM Trial Connect 2024 conference on behalf of the Malaysian Prime Minister earlier today at the Nexus Connexion Conference & Event Centre Kuala Lumpur. The conference was organised by Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM).
Sponsored clinical research in Malaysia has achieved its highest growth in 2023, with a marked 24% increase in new sponsored studies compared to the year before. The industry has raked over RM 1.16 billion in cumulative Gross National Income since CRM’s inception as a Ministry of Health-owned company in 2012. The wealth of spillover effect has also had a profound impact on Malaysia’s healthcare, especially with the access of innovative research treatment for our patients.
With Malaysia now being among the top two countries for sponsored clinical research in South-East Asia, the Minister of Health shared his aspirations to drive a higher market share of global sponsored trials into the region, given its value proposition of having a supportive clinical research landscape as well as unique population diversity.
YB Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad during his keynote address stated, “The Malaysian government recognises the great value of developing the country to be a global clinical trial hub. We acknowledge clinical research as an emerging industry to the country.”
During the officiation ceremony, two top global biopharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk and AstraZeneca were highlighted for their ongoing efforts in expanding their clinical research activity and presence in Malaysia, through their respective partnerships with CRM. CRM was established to drive sponsored clinical research in the country and has over the years enabled the early phase ecosystem, in addition to having enhanced the nation’s clinical research capabilities through its line-up of study coordinators and the establishment of its Centre of Excellence.
The CRM Trial Connect Conference 2024 also acknowledged clinical research stakeholders, in conjunction with the International Clinical Trials Day celebration. During the event, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim presented the CRM Clinical Research Leadership Award to Datuk Amar Prof Dr Sim Kui Hian, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Health, Housing and Local Government of Sarawak for his exemplary role as a pioneer in the development of clinical research in Sarawak and Malaysia. The CRM Sponsored Research Awards were also presented during the conference to the top investigator, trial sites and industry members, for having achieved significant accomplishments in 2023.
The CRM Trial Connect 2024 is on its third consecutive year and was held in collaboration with the European Organization for Research & Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and the National Cancer Center Japan. The conference was aimed to showcase Malaysia’s accomplishments in sponsored clinical research and promote collaborations between local and international clinical research stakeholders. Nearly 1,000 attendees from over 130 organisations gathered at this year’s conference, ranging from biopharmaceutical & medical device industries, contract research organisations, academic institutions, and healthcare sector.
Recipients of CRM Sponsored Research Awards 2024
- Investigator of the Year Award: Dr Voon Pei Jye (Sarawak General Hospital) for having recorded the highest number of new sponsored research in 2023.
- Top Study Site (MOH) Award: Sarawak General Hospital for being among top MOH sites in number of studies awarded in 2023.
- Top Study Site (Overall) Award: University of Malaya Medical Centre for having highest number of new sponsored studies overall in 2023.
- Sponsor of the Year Award: AstraZeneca for contributing highest number of studies in 2023.
- CRO of the Year Award: IQVIA RDS Malaysia Sdn Bhd for contracting highest number of studies in 2023.
