From the President's Desk

Greetings!

 

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the Sarawak Society for Cell and Gene Therapy Research (SSCTR), a society born out of vision, necessity, and hope.  As its founder and president, I am both proud and humbled to share this platform with each of you today.

 

Cell and gene therapy (CGT) represents one of the most revolutionary frontiers in modern medicine.  From curing genetic disorders to regenerating damaged tissues, the potential of CGT is no longer science fiction, it is happening right now, around the world.  Yet for many, particularly in our region, the field remains distant or misunderstood.

 

SSCTR was founded to change that. 

 

For our researchers and healthcare professionals, SSCTR is here to:

• Illuminate the latest developments in CGT, especially in the technical and regulatory domains that shape clinical practice.

• Facilitate meaningful collaborations not only within Sarawak but across Malaysia and the globe.

• Serve as a bridge to leading national and international CGT societies, such as the International Society for Cell and Gene Therapy (ISCT), the American Society of Gene and Cell Therapy (ASGCT), and regional partners like the Malaysia Association for Cell and Gene Therapy (MACGT).

 

Our aim is to create a dynamic, connected research environment that empowers Sarawak’s scientists and clinicians to contribute to and lead advances in this vital field.

 

For the general public, we understand that trust and transparency are crucial.  SSCTR seeks to:

• Educate the community about what CGT is, what it can do, and what it cannot.

• Act as a trustworthy point of reference for anyone seeking to verify the legitimacy of CGT-related services or companies.  In a world increasingly flooded with unverified claims and commercialised science, this function is more important than ever.

 

And for our government agencies, we recognize that robust policy frameworks must evolve alongside scientific progress.  To that end, SSCTR aspires to:

• Serve as a think tank, contributing expertise to shape Malaysia’s, and particularly Sarawak’s regulatory landscape for CGT.

• Act as an intermediary voice, bridging government, healthcare professionals, and the public, to ensure inclusive, forward-thinking policymaking.

 

Ultimately, the mission of SSCTR is simple, yet ambitious:  To make Sarawak not just a participant, but a leader in cell and gene therapy research and innovation, grounded in ethics, driven by science, and guided by collaboration.

 

This website, and this Society, are only the beginning. I invite all of you:  researchers, clinicians, students, policymakers, and members of the public, to walk with us on this journey.  Together, let us shape a future where advanced therapies are not only available but accessible, safe, and beneficial to all.

 

Thank you, and welcome to SSCTR.

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Dr. Samuel Ting Chuo Yew

President
Sarawak Society for Cell and Gene Therapy Research