In a significant step forward for pet nutrition research in Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Century Pet Food Industry Sdn. Bhd. formalised their partnership through a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony on 19th February 2025. The event, hosted at the School of Industrial Technology’s Conference Room in USM’s Penang campus, brought together key figures from both institutions.
The ceremony was attended by distinguished guests including Mr. Tony Tan, Managing Director of Century Pet Food Industry Sdn Bhd, Mr. Gary Chin, CEO, alongside his senior management team including Sales & Marketing Director Mr. Zhen Yong Chin, Sales Director Mrs. Bridget, and Director Mrs. Wei Shan. The company’s technical expertise was represented by the Research & Development Manager Mr. Tan Ooi Meng, Production Manager Mr. Hugo Yeap, and Marketing Manager Mr. Chen Yang.
At the heart of this partnership lies Plantact, a cutting-edge patented animal-grade bioactive postbiotic. This innovative ingredient developed using Biotenova’s proprietary probiotic strain, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum K014, showcases Malaysia’s potential in biotechnology, as it is sourced from local Malaysian sauerkraut.
The Dean of the School of Industrial Technology, Associate Professor Dr. Yusri bin Yusup, underscored the university’s commitment to bridging academic research with practical applications. “At the School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, we take pride in our efforts to bridge the gap between research and industry needs. Through this MoA, we look forward to strengthening our collaboration in product development and sustainable solutions that align with global advancements in biotechnology,” he remarked during the ceremony.
Associate Professor Dr. Nurzalina binti Abdul Karim Khan, Dean of the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, emphasised the far-reaching implications of this partnership, stating, “Healthcare is universal — it encompasses not just human health, but animal health too. That’s why we’ve incorporated veterinary pharmacy into our curriculum, training our students in the specific care needs of companion animals.”
The research team leading this innovative project includes Associate Professor Dr. Tan Joo Shun as Principal Investigator, alongside Dr. Siti Baidurah Yusoff, Program Chairman of Bioprocess Technology at PPTI. The collaboration also benefits from the expertise of co-researchers Associate Professor Dr. Leow Chiuan Yee and Mr. Ho Rhu Yann from the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
One of the most promising aspects of this partnership is the focus on postbiotics in pet nutrition. Unlike traditional probiotics, postbiotics demonstrate remarkable resilience during the manufacturing process of dry pet food, maintaining their efficacy through extrusion and drying processes. This characteristic makes them particularly valuable for commercial pet food production, potentially opening new avenues for improving pet nutrition on a large scale.
Mr. Tan Ooi Meng from Century Pet Food Industry highlighted the significance of the partnership, stating, “This agreement marks a significant step forward in strengthening the connection between industry and academia, with the shared goal of advancing animal nutrition and health through research and innovation.”
The collaboration brings together the academic rigour of USM with the industrial expertise of Century Pet Food Industry, creating a synergy that promises to advance both pet nutrition science and commercial applications. The partnership demonstrates Malaysia’s growing influence in biotechnology and animal nutrition research, setting a new benchmark for industry-academia collaborations in the region.
Following the formal exchange of the memorandum and commemorative souvenirs, attendees were treated to a tour of the School of Industrial Technology’s gallery, where they gained insights into the institution’s research capabilities and technological advancement. The event concluded with a networking session, providing opportunities for further discussion about the exciting possibilities this collaboration presents for the future of pet nutrition in Malaysia.
