ASCA9 Advances Biotech Knowledge in Asia Through Regional Collaboration

The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), Inc., in partnership with the Malaysian Biotechnology Information Centre (MABIC) and Peterson Solutions, organized the 9th Asian Short Course on Agribiotechnology, Biosafety Regulation, and Communication (ASCA9), held on September 1-4, 2026, in Selangor, Malaysia. ASCA9 was attended by over 30 scientists, regulators, researchers, and science communicators from eight (8) countries.

Mr. Victor Soosai, Managing Director of Peterson Solutions, Malaysia, welcomed the attendees and hoped they would have a fruitful stay filled with learning and knowledge exchange. He also acknowledged the presence of senior colleagues and peers, emphasizing the value of learning from one another and gaining a better understanding of their respective work.

Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan, Executive Director of MABIC, emphasized the importance of building institutional memory and strengthening collaboration among Asian countries to preserve and share knowledge and innovations. Encouraging participants to make the most of the learning opportunity, she challenged them to become advocates of biotechnology in their respective countries. “How can each one of us become an advocate in our own countries and, if possible, beyond?” she said.

_{Dr. Michael G. K. Jones, professor at Murdoch University; Dr. Mahaletchumy Arujanan; and Ms. Ma. Lorelie U. Agbagala, Head Secretariat at the Department of Science and Technology - National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (DOST-NCBP), at ASCA9.}

The ASCA 2026 short course covered four major themes: agricultural biotechnology innovations, global regulatory frameworks, genome editing, and public engagement and strategic communication. Discussions explored the evolution and global adoption of biotech crops, emerging technologies such as synthetic biology and artificial intelligence, and applications of genetic engineering and genome editing in crops and animals, particularly Tropic's Non-Browning Gene-Edited Bananas, Pairwise’s Gene-edited Products, Genus’ PRRS-Resistant Pig, and PtBio’s Allergen-free Eggs. The program also highlighted regulatory and commercialization pathways, international biosafety frameworks, biotechnology trade, and market access. The course further explored the importance of policy advocacy, media engagement, and effective science communication in promoting public understanding and responsible biotechnology innovation.

The lectures were complemented by field visits to produce farms in Cameron Highlands and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), where participants gained firsthand insights into agricultural practices, research facilities, and the practical applications of biotechnology.

Several participants shared positive comments and feedback on ASCA 2026. Ms. Trixie Anne S. Teodoro, Agriculturist II at the Department of Agriculture's Fertilizer and Pesticide Authority (FPA), appreciated the course's broad coverage of biotechnology and the field visits that connected the discussions with real-world applications. She also noted that hearing perspectives and experiences from participants across different countries made the discussions more diverse, insightful, and meaningful.

Similarly, Dr. Sri Sivasankari, Head of Business Development at Peterson Solutions Malaysia, praised the world-class speakers and the program's global range of expertise. She said the open discussion was among ASCA 2026's strongest elements. Coming from outside the biotechnology field, Dr. Sivasankari described the short course as one of her most intellectually enriching experiences, noting that it deepened her appreciation of biotechnology, its regulatory complexities, and the people advancing the field across Asia.

Dr. Rhodora Romero-Aldemita, Executive Director of ISAAA Inc., highlighted the success of ASCA9 in delivering a comprehensive biotechnology program. She noted that the program covered a wide range of topics comparable to a two-year university course. Dr. Aldemita emphasized the importance of continuously educating the next generation of biotechnology advocates to sustain and strengthen the progress made in their respective countries.

“ASCA9 opened doors for you. Looking ahead to ASCA10, we look forward to your continued support through participant and speaker nominations, funding, and sponsorships,” Dr. Aldemita said. She expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Peterson Solutions for hosting ASCA9 in Malaysia, as well as to the sponsors, partners, resource speakers, and participating universities and organizations for their support. Dr. Aldemita also thanked the short course attendees for their active participation and expressed hope that they would share their newly acquired knowledge and insights with their colleagues.

ASCA9 is supported by CropLife Asia, the US Grains & Bioproducts Council, BASF, PtBio, and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI). The four-day short course was co-organized by Murdoch University, Bayer, Corteva Agriscience, Department of Science and Technology - National Committee on Biosafety of the Philippines (DOST-NCBP), University of Putra Malaysia, University of Malaya, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Pairwise, Tropic, and Genus.

For interested sponsors and participants of ASCA10 in 2027, send an email to meetings@isaaa.org.

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