About Orion Biosains

 

Orion Biosains is a subsidiary of Orion Genomoics. Orion Genomics serves biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical and diagnostics companies, agricultural and seed companies, government agencies, and crop-boards across the globe.  Orion develops oncology diagnostic products for cancer screening and therapy selection as well as genomic research tools. Primarily, the company focuses on molecular diagnostic products. Orion Biosains was created for the company's newest product, the SureSawIt SHELL gell kit. Working with Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Orion Biosains has commuincated with members of the palm oil production process to sell their new product the SureSawit Shell Gell Kit.

The life sciences industry, which involves researching the traits and behaviors of plants and animals, is particularly important for Orion Biosains because of the company’s work with oil palm trees. By studying the DNA of these trees extensively, the company has revealed valuable information about a particular gene. As a result, it has teamed up with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board to apply its research. In recent years, global expansion within the life sciences industry has been picking up, which is valuable to Orion Genomics’ future goals.

However, companies in the life sciences industry seeking global expansion are currently facing several issues:

• How to turn innovation into desirable products

• Dealing with regulatory issues in foreign countries such as government mandates

• Navigating foreign risks such as protecting intellectual property or noncompliance

• Seeking impact in global markets

Currently, Orion Biosains is trying to penetrate the Malaysian palm oil market to sell its SureSawIt™SHELLGel Kit. If the kit sells well, palm oil will be produced in greater quantities much more efficiently. This means, however, that the company needs to navigate the challenges of entering a foreign market with a different culture. 

 

The Palm Oil Industry 

 

Palm oil is one of the most versatile and widely used oils in the world. A great deal of palm oil can be drawn from the fruits of oil palm trees, with each fruit being approximately 50% oil. In addition, each tree can produce oil for 20-30 years. These oils go from making margarines and cereals to soaps and cosmetics. If you look through the things you eat and use during the day, chances are several of them contain palm oil. Thus, scientific breakthroughs about how to better grow and harvest oil palms are incredibly beneficial.

Palm oil is not only versatile, but demand has been on a steady increase. Palm oil is known to be healthier and safer than other vegetable oils. The Malaysian Palm Oil Board declares palm oil to be high in fatty acids and vitamins D, E, and K. These nutrients keep the body nourished and cells healthy. As a result, many consumers choose products with palm oil.

Malaysia is one of the top global producers of palm oil. In fact, Malaysia contributes to 39% of the world’s supply, and 4.5 million people earn their living from working in the palm oil industry. In the 1960’s the Malaysian government set up oil palm plantations and set up settlement systems as an attempt to reduce poverty. Today, oil palm plantations in Malaysia operate based on an estate management system.

However, massive harvesting comes at a cost. Planting trees requires deforestation to clear land for plantations. In particular, orangutan habitats have been threatened.  In 1990, there were 315,000 wild orangutans, but today that number has dropped to less than 50,000. Not only are orangutan’s threatened, but planting oil palm trees also causes social conflicts by cutting into local communities.