KUALA LUMPUR (July 15): Malaysian Genomics Resource Centre Bhd (KL:MGRC) said on Monday it has signed agreements with Kumpulan Perubatan Penawar Sdn Bhd and Hospital Penawar Sdn Bhd to explore offering genetic screening services.

The collaborations are focused on the "Origene All-in-One Report" product and its derivative, the "Childhood-Onset Disease Profile" for cell-gene therapies, MGRC said in an exchange filing. MGRC will provide consultancy and technical support for their collaboration, including genetic screen-testing services, it said.

“The parties are of the view that there are synergistic benefits to be derived” from the strategic collaboration agreements through sharing and developing the knowledge and expertise, MGRC said.

Under the terms of the strategic collaboration agreements, Kumpulan Penawar and Hospital Penawar will gain distribution rights to offer the product at their healthcare facilities, and provide consultancy services to consumers, MGRC said.

Kumpulan Penawar has more than three dozen polyclinics, mostly in Johor, offering medical services such as pharmacy, psychiatric specialist clinic, occupational health services, dialysis centre and other services.

The company also has a boutique hospital in Johor catering to the surrounding community and select niche markets, according to its website.

The three parties will also explore the cell-gene therapies in childhood-onset disease, MGRC added.