21 May 2025 | Event
UMADT Advances Regional Pandemic Preparedness Through Collaborative Diagnostics Workshop
By UMADT
Universiti Malaya Affordable Diagnostics and Therapeutics (UMADT) was pleased to host a dynamic and forward-looking workshop focused on the co-development of affordable, point-of-care molecular diagnostics to strengthen pandemic preparedness in Malaysia and across ASEAN.
The workshop brought together key stakeholders from across the research, clinical, and diagnostic innovation ecosystem. UMADT welcomed Dr Rozainanee Mohd Zain, Head of the Infectious Disease Research Centre (IDRC) at the Institute for Medical Research (IMR); Dr Jeyanthi Suppiah, Research Officer at IDRC; Dr Teck-Hock Toh, Head of the Clinical Research Centre at Sibu Hospital in Sarawak; and Dr Giri Rajahram, Head of the Department of Medicine at Queen Elizabeth II Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah. Both Dr Toh and Dr Rajahram are Principal Investigators with the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR) Malaysia, contributing valuable clinical expertise to this collaborative initiative.
This workshop marked an important milestone in UMADT’s ongoing partnership with Sansure Biotech Inc., a key industry collaborator supporting the development and localisation of affordable, accurate diagnostic tools. This programme of work aims to address critical diagnostic gaps, with the ultimate goal of improving access to high-quality point-of-care molecular diagnostics for infectious diseases in Malaysia and the wider ASEAN region.
Another highlight of the session was a presentation by Jean-Michel Piedagnel of the South-South Diagnostic Alliance, who introduced a timely report that maps the current landscape of diagnostic needs in the Global South. Using dengue as an exemplar, the report underscored the urgency and importance of deploying scalable diagnostic solutions for neglected and re-emerging diseases.
UMADT also extends its appreciation to Emeritus Professor Sanjeev Krishna from St George’s, University of London, and Professor Ivy Chung of UMADT for chairing the workshop. Their leadership was instrumental in convening this interdisciplinary group of researchers, clinicians, and industry partners to collectively develop actionable solutions in the face of ongoing and future public health threats.
The team at UMADT remains committed to fostering collaborative, translational research that delivers real-world impact. Through strategic partnerships and a shared vision for equitable healthcare access, this initiative aims to build a resilient diagnostics ecosystem for Malaysia, ASEAN, and the broader Global South.