How biotech firm Bioven found fortune

Making headway: Bioven’s contract research partners include the Beatson Cancer Institute in Glasgow, Scotland, Pangea Biotech in Catalan, Spain and International Medical University (IMU) in Malaysia (pictured, research scientist Sylvia Gan at IMU). Photos: AZMAN GHANI/The Star

The Cuban adventure that landed a Malaysian biotech firm in the big leagues.

It all began in 2002 when Fidel Castro was president of Cuba. Malaysia enjoyed favourable bilateral relations with the republic, and a business partner invited Johan Indot to tag along with a commercial delegation seeking new business opportunities there.