VITAGEN has partnered with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), appointing Prof. Dr. Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar as Medical Advisor, to advance gut health research and public health outreach in Malaysia. This collaboration seeks to integrate pioneering probiotic studies into VITAGEN’s product offerings, enhancing both consumer wellness and market innovation.
7 November 2024 – VITAGEN, Malaysia’s top cultured milk brand, has officially entered a strategic partnership with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), cemented by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz UKM. This collaboration includes the appointment of Prof. Dr. Norfilza Mohd Mokhtar, an acclaimed expert in gastroenterology and genome medicine, as VITAGEN’s Medical Advisor. This alliance between VITAGEN and UKM not only bolsters research in gut health but also exemplifies a forward-looking approach to public health in Malaysia.
This partnership builds on comprehensive research spearheaded at UKM by Prof. Dr. Norfilza and Prof. Dr. Raja Affendi Raja Ali. Their studies, published in prestigious journals including Gut Journal and Acta Gastro-Enterologica Belgica, reveal that lactobacillus-based cultured milk beverages can improve gut health, strengthen immunity, and ease depression symptoms among people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Recent findings in Scientific Reports by Springer Nature further highlight probiotics’ potential to boost mental health and reduce stress in IBS patients.
Prof. Dr. Norfilza’s recognition as “Tokoh Penyelidik Year 2024” underscores her contributions to medical research and her expertise will now contribute to VITAGEN’s mission of leveraging scientific advancements to enhance their products. In her new role, she expressed enthusiasm for merging research with practical health solutions, stating, “My appointment as VITAGEN’s Medical Advisor offers an exciting platform to bring our research findings into practical solutions that benefit consumers.”
The MOU reflects VITAGEN’s commitment to expanding its relationship with UKM through joint research, public health initiatives, and expert consultations. This alliance aims to support ongoing studies in probiotics and gut health while promoting public awareness and community outreach for digestive health.
Mr. Poh Eng Lip, VITAGEN’s General Manager, commented on the appointment, saying, “Prof. Dr. Norfilza’s expertise will be vital in enhancing our products and market leadership. We are excited about the opportunities this partnership will unlock.”
Head of Marketing, Yap Jay Queen, also noted that the partnership enables VITAGEN to incorporate advanced research into their offerings, furthering their goal of providing innovative solutions that truly benefit consumers.
Through this collaboration, VITAGEN is reinforcing its dedication to gut health innovation, aiming to educate and empower consumers on the importance of digestive wellness. For more on VITAGEN’s initiatives, visit www.vitagen.com.my.
