News Strait Times

Kamarizs Medicare, USM ink research deal

By Audrey Dermawan | 23 February 2023

GEORGE TOWN: Medical services company Kamarizs Medicare Sdn Bhd (KZSM) has partnered with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) for a research collaboration involving a new skincare product, set to be unveiled next year.

On Tuesday, the Johor Baru-based company and USM signed a research collaboration agreement to study the ingredients to be used in the new product, which is expected to be completed within 15 months.

KZSM director 2 Datin Dr Suhaila Sujani said this collaboration was the first between KZSM and USM, having worked with other local universities for a similar purpose.

"At KZSM, we are engaging in research and development (R&D) to gain consumers' trust in our products. Our aim is to have Malaysia's own products that are world class, safe, effective and natural in the evolution of beauty medicine in the country.

"This is evident in our beauty and cosmetic products Zeyls and Luzstre.

"They are clinical and medical evidence-based products that are safe to use and effective," she told the New Straits Times at the Innovative Incubator University building at Sains@USM, Bukit Jambul here.

Suhaila signed the agreement on behalf of KZSM, while USM was represented by its Analytical Biochemistry Research Centre director Professor Dr Zafarina Zainuddin.

Present were KZSM director 1 Datuk Dr Zahir Husain Kamari and project head Dr Muhammad Hakimin Shafie.

Suhaila said KZSM's mission and vision in this research collaboration were to introduce to Malaysians the aesthetic medicine industry, which conducts research.

"At KZSM, we hope this can open up more investment opportunities after the research is completed.

"We are also confident that with the experience and capabilities of our manufacturer, the product will comply with the specifications of this study.

"We also believe that the expertise of our R&D team will ensure that the quality of the product will meet the specifications of the Health Ministry and World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines."

Suhaila hoped this collaboration would not end here and the company would be on the lookout for more joint research studies, especially in the aesthetic and wellness industry in the future.

"Our emphasis on product production is that it needs to be led by those who have knowledge according to ministry and WHO standards.

"For this, we have chosen USM as it is a centre of research.

"Health and beauty products that are medical and clinical evidence-based will lead the industry to increase consumer awareness to choose only what is safe."

Zafarina said she was proud that USM continued to expand its network with the industry and community in establishing a collaboration, as well as providing benefits to all to support talent development and research according to the needs of the cosmetics industry.

"This is definitely a mechanism to bridge the knowledge gap between academics and industry. As we all know, the transition to Industrial Revolution 4.0 requires enablers to make the transformation a success.

"This collaboration is expected to be a catalyst for collaboration between academics in research, sharing facilities and exchanging expertise with the industry."