New Research Lab Positions Country as Global Halal Testing Leader in Pharmaceuticals, Nutraceuticals

PENANG, Malaysia – Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Malaysia through the Malaysian Institute of Pharmaceuticals and Nutraceuticals (IPHARM), an agency under the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MOSTI), to promote and develop cooperation in biotechnology.

Under the terms of the MoU, the strategic alliance will focus on the establishment of the IPHARM-Agilent Global Reference Research Lab and the development of human capital in the emerging field of biotechnology. The lab will develop global Halal* testing standards in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals. It also will provide access to state-of-the-art analytical tools and expertise to develop the local industry and small and medium enterprise (SME) ecosystem in their commercialization efforts.

IPHARM brings its domain expertise in bioactive compounds research and analysis to the partnership while leveraging Malaysia’s inherited strength in biodiversity and its aspiration to be a global Halal testing leader in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.

As a leading provider of bioanalytical instruments and the world’s premier company in electronic measurement, Agilent will provide specialized technical expertise to set up the lab and leading-edge analytical and application solutions to jointly develop the global Halal testing standards with IPHARM. Agilent also will transfer its deep base of biotechnology knowledge to Malaysia to build and develop indigenous capabilities through an ecosystem of local knowledge partners.

“Agilent shares a common desire with the Government of Malaysia to realize the national agenda for biotechnology,” said Gooi Soon Chai, president of Agilent Technologies Malaysia and Singapore. “Our partnership presents an enormous potential to accelerate the development of this field as the next engine of growth for the country.”

“Through collaboration with Agilent, the Global Reference Research Lab will help intensify IPHARM’s research activities in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals,” said Dato’ Dr. Sharifah Zarah Syed Ahmad, Deputy Secretary General of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. “This is where the local SMEs will also be able to grow their capabilities and compete on a global stage.”

“As a leading provider of bioanalytical instruments and solutions, we are delighted to partner with IPHARM to enable the development of biotechnology infrastructure, intellectual property and human capital in Malaysia,” said Nick Roelofs, president of Agilent’s Life Sciences Group.

About Agilent Technologies in Malaysia

Agilent Technologies, formerly a part of Hewlett-Packard, began operations in Penang, Malaysia, in 1972. Today, Agilent occupies a 42-acre manufacturing site in Bayan Lepas, with a workforce of about 3,000 employees. Equipped with world-class facilities, the site’s core competencies include business unit management, research and development, supply chain management and manufacturing. Agilent’s sales offices in Penang and Petaling Jaya serve customers with a broad range of products and solutions.

About Agilent Technologies

Agilent Technologies Inc. (NYSE: A) is the world’s premier measurement company and a technology leader in chemical analysis, life sciences, electronics and communications. The company’s 19,000 employees serve customers in more than 110 countries. Agilent had net revenues of $4.5 billion in fiscal 2009. Information about Agilent is available on the Web at www.agilent.com.

* Halal describes goods or actions that are permissible and wholesome according to Islamic laws. It is often associated with safe, clean and nutritious food, but in fact, the concept of Halal applies to personal care and cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals, as well as finance and other services. Halal certification bodies in many countries are either developed by the states or backed by their non-governmental organizations. Halal certification provides assurance to all Muslim consumers. To the non-Muslims, Halal products are quality products, simply due to the concept of halalan thoyyiban (Halal and wholesome). Source — Halal Industry Development Corporation, www.hdcglobal.com.