By Asmahanim Amir
Pix Shahiddan Saidi

KUALA LUMPUR, 29 Feb 2016 – The production of skin substitute ‘MyDerm’ by researchers from the Tissue Engineering Centre (TEC), the National University of Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) has been recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records (MBOR).

‘MyDerm’ is a tissue engineering innovation by a team led by Prof Dato’ Dr Ruszymah Idrus and it is an alternative treatment to patients suffering from burns, trauma and diabetic ulcers.

As the principal inventor of MyDerm, Prof Dr Ruzymah received the MBOR award on the recognition of MyDerm as the first Malaysia autologous tissue engineered human, here on 25 Feb.

MBOR also honoured Cell Tissue Technology Sdn Bhd (CTT), for being the first manufacturer  of autologous tissue engineered human skin, with an award to CTT Chief Executive Officer of, Dr Khairul Idzwan Dato’ Baharin.

UKM Vice Chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Noor Azlan Ghazali said MyDerm is in the final level of clinical testing with  several surgeons and clinical experts from the Canselor Tuanku Mukhriz Hospital (HCTM) collaborating.

“The clinical MyDerm research which started in 2013 has indicated that recovery of patients was satisfactory, particularly in the treatment of burns, trauma and diabetic ulcers, as well as giving them a new lease of life,” he said.

He said the commercialisation of MyDerm is in the hands of TEC and CTT, which is a subsidiary of UKM. .

“To strengthen public confidence in R&D products, CTT with other industry partners are working to get halal certification from JAKIM,” he stated.

also held at the awards ceremony was the signing of a Letter of Intent between TEC and CTT for cooperation on academic programmes, research and human capital development.

Meanwhile, Deputy Minister of Health, Dato’ Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya said the success of the research team from the TEC PPUKM in producing MyDerm is something to be proud of and is a milestone in the country’s medical technology because it enables local experts to innovate treatment techniques.

“MyDerm is the only basic skin cell reproduction technique from victims in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, as well as a the first important innovation in life sciences or biology,” he said.

He acknowledge  there are several other ongoing studies by TEC researchers on  corneas, sensory nerves, heart, and kidney tissue.

“I think if they (researchers) continue the effort (on kidney tissue), may be in the  future kidney patients no longer need to undergo kidney transplant and dialysis,” he said.

He also remarked that with MyDerm, it shows that the health system in Malaysia is innovative and of high quality.