News Details

HO WAH GENTING BERHAD INITIATES RESEARCH ON POLIO VACCINES AS A PREVENTIVE PROTECTION AGAINST COVID-19

  2020-09-07 19:48:49

KUALA LUMPUR, 07 SEPTEMBER 2020 – Ho Wah Genting Berhad’s (“HWGB” or the “Company”) (Bursa Stock Code:9601) wholly-owned subsidiary, HWGB Biotech Sdn Bhd (“HWGB Biotech”) [Formerly known as HWG Consortium Sdn Bhd], had submitted the necessary documents to the National Medical Research Register (“NMRR”) to evaluate on the effectiveness of the Oral Polio Vaccine (“OPV”) as a preventive protection against the COVID-19. (“Research Protocol”)
The Research Protocol is conducted under the Ministry of Health’s (“MOH”) National Institute of Health guidelines. HWGB Biotech who will fully fund the clinical trial and other related matters, is looking to detect poliovirus vaccination-induced antibodies that can cross-react with COVID-19 proteins through the research results.
Upon MOH’s review and approval, HWGB Biotech will initiate the research at an appointed private clinic. Participants will be screened and selected based on specific inclusion criteria using convenience sampling. Vaccination will be served to participants, followed by sample collection, serological testing and results reporting.
Chief Executive Officer of HWGB, Dato’ Aaron Lim expressed: “Given the dire situation, we are hoping to work with the Malaysian government to quicken the process in evaluating the effectiveness of the polio vaccines on COVID-19 prevention. If the research through clinical trials can be proven to be effective, we can help Malaysia and the rest of Southeast Asia. A successful vaccine is important not just in saving lives but also help the economies in the region that has been negatively impacted by the pandemic due to lockdowns and other preventative measures. It is imperative that this is done urgently”.
The main investigator for Research Protocol will be Dato’ Dr. Lai Kwong Choy (“Dato’ Dr. Lai”), who has more than 30 years of medical training background serving in government hospitals as well as private practice. Dato’ Dr. Lai started his group practices and partnership at private clinics since 2000. He was also a local counsellor at Kajang Municipal Council from 2004 to 2008. From 2009 to 2012, he served as a Board member at Malaysia Health Promotion Board which is under MOH.
Following that, the co-investigator is Dr. Yaman Walid Kassad (“Dr. Yaman”). Dr. Yaman obtained his Bachelor of Pharmacy from Ajman University of Science and Technology (AUST) from United Arab Emirate, Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Clinical Pharmacy from Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Pharmacy from University Science Malaysia (USM), Malaysia. He has extensive research experience and has published more than 40 SCOPUS/ISI indexed research papers.
 
Additionally, Associate Professor Dr. Long Chiau Ming will assist as research consultant. He possesses 15 years of experience in the academia, specifically in the medical field. He is an Associate Professor at Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences, University Brunei Darussalam and Executive Committee Member of Malaysian Society of Pharmaceutical Technology.
 
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ABOUT HO WAH GENTING BERHAD
 
Ho Wah Genting Berhad (“HWGB” or the “Company”) is principally engaged in investment holdings and the provision of management services to its subsidiaries. The Company had on 30 June 2020 diversified its existing businesses to include healthcare related industry which mainly involved in Health Supplement, Biotechnology and Health Technology. In addition, the Company and its subsidiaries (“HWGB Group” or the “Group”) are also engaging in the businesses of Investment holdings; manufacturing of wire and cable and moulded power supply cord sets and cable assemblies for electrical and electronic devices and equipment; trading of wire and cable; and travel agent and tour related services.