Biotechnology is given prominent attention and emphasis by the Malaysian Government as it recognizes the importance and the potential of this sector to our economy. As a result, the National Biotechnology Policy was launched in April 2005. The support given by the Government is further boosted under the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006 – 2010).

To achieve the aspiration of the Government to make Malaysia the preferred destination for foreign biotechnology players and investors, the Government did major revamp to the earlier proposed project, which was called BioValley Malaysia. BioValley Malaysia which was originally to be built in Dengkil, was intended to create a world-class research facilities in genomics, pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, and agribiotech. However, in the new roadmap, it is decided that resources will be put into developing this three centres of excellence in existing research facilities based on their past track record and expertise. Thus, the centre of excellence for agribiotechnology will be based in the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI) and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM). The centre of excellence for genomics and molecular biology will be in Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and the pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals will be at the Biovalley in Dengkil with strong affiliation with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).