The government of Malaysia has identified biotechnology as another potential area to be the engine of growth. In 2002, three interim laboratories - Genomic & Molecular Biology; Agro-Biotechnology; and Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals were established to provide research infrastructure for the 8th Malaysia Plan for National Biotechnology Agenda led by the Biotechnology Cooperative Centres (BCCs). In 2005, these laboratories were inaugurated as National Biotechnology Institutes to lead, coordinate and implement the national biotechnology agenda through research, development, innovation and commercialization (RDIC). The three National Biotechnology Institutes are: • Malaysia Agro-Biotechnology Institute (ABI) • Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM) • Malaysia Genome and Vaccine Institute (MGVI) In 2011, the institutes were restructured and placed under an autonomous organization called the National Institutes of Biotechnology Malaysia (NIBM). While the three institutes focus on high quality and market driven R&D and innovations, NIBM’s key role is to support and spearhead the commercialization of the R&D activities at the institutes based on industry requirements.