Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 12 December 2025 — The International Affordable Diagnostics & Therapeutics Alliance (IA-DATA) met  with YBMK Datuk Seri Haji Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Minister of Health Malaysia, to discuss strengthening Malaysia’s research ecosystem and advancing pilot exemplar projects planned for 2025 under the IA-DATA platform.

The meeting focused on reviewing progress and next steps for building sustainable, impact-driven research and innovation pathways that translate scientific excellence into equitable health solutions for Malaysia, ASEAN, and the Global South.

Strategic Pillars for Impact

The Minister engaged in an encouraging dialogue around IA-DATA’s three strategic pillars – affordable point-of-care diagnostics for neglected and underserved diseases, drug repurposing to expand treatment options for cancers and rare diseases and plant molecular farming to increase equitable access to high-cost, cutting-edge cancer therapeutics

These pillars align with national and regional priorities to improve access, affordability, and resilience within health systems.

Strengthening Collaboration Across Institutions

IA-DATA reaffirmed its commitment to collaborative delivery alongside a strong multidisciplinary network of scientists, researchers, and clinicians from the Ministry of Health Malaysia (KKM), National Institutes of Health Malaysia, Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics (UMADT), and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS).

Together, these partnerships aim to deliver real-world patient impact through research translation, technology transfer, and implementation-focused innovation.

National Leadership and Regional Impact

Malaysia’s leadership in championing equitable access to diagnostics and therapeutics—as part of ongoing health system reforms and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030—positions the country as a key driver of innovation for ASEAN and the Global South.

IA-DATA and its partners share a common vision to ensure that innovation reaches those who need it most, reaffirming the principle that no one is left behind and that injustice has a cure.