Scientists, clinicians and industry representatives from Malaysia and overseas gathered at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia’s (UTM) Kuala Lumpur campus to discuss whether advances in microbiome science could influence the development of future hygiene and anti-infective products.
The First International Scientific Seminar, titled “Towards a New Hygiene Standard – From Total Elimination to Smart Anti-Infective”, was hosted by UTM’s Innovation Centre in Agritechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA), in collaboration with the World BioEconomy Association (WBA) and SATEERA®.
The event brought together experts from Malaysia, Finland, South Africa, Egypt, the United States and Indonesia.
Discussions focused on the traditional “99.99% kill” approach to hygiene, which prioritises eliminating microorganisms, and whether future products could also consider the preservation of beneficial microorganisms where appropriate.
Advances in microbiome science have increased understanding of the different roles microorganisms play in human health. While harmful microorganisms may contribute to infection and disease, beneficial microorganisms can support microbial balance and the body’s natural defence mechanisms.
The seminar examined Smart Anti-Infective approaches, which seek to control harmful microorganisms while considering selectivity, effectiveness and safety. Speakers stressed that such approaches would complement, rather than replace, existing antimicrobial or medical interventions where broad microbial control is necessary.
Prof. Dr Hesham Ali El Enshasy, director of ICA at UTM and the seminar’s scientific lead, said the discussion was focused on whether greater selectivity could guide future research.
“We are not saying that existing antimicrobial approaches should be replaced. We are asking whether science can take us one step further, from effectiveness alone towards effectiveness with greater selectivity. If the evidence continues to support this direction, it could help shape how we think about the next generation of hygiene.”
UTM said the seminar was intended to encourage collaboration among researchers, clinicians and industry stakeholders and to promote evidence-based discussion in an emerging area of hygiene and healthcare innovation.
Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Roshanida binti A. Rahman, dean of Research Alliance (Health & Wellness) at UTM’s Office of the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), said:
“As an academic institution, UTM recognises the importance of bringing together researchers, clinicians and industry stakeholders for meaningful scientific exchange. This seminar creates a platform for international collaboration and evidence-based discussion around an emerging area of hygiene and healthcare innovation.”
International speakers addressed antimicrobial resistance, infection control, healthcare accessibility, microbiome science, natural sources of anti-infectives and the development of reproducible technologies from biological discoveries.
Mr Jukka Kantola, executive chair of the WBA, said that greater selectivity, if scientifically validated as a performance measure, could influence the development and differentiation of future products.
“Hygiene and anti-infective healthcare already represent a multi-billion-dollar global economy. If selectivity develops into a scientifically accepted measure of performance, it could create a new layer of value across this existing industry and influence how future products are researched, developed and differentiated.”
Researchers from UTM, Universiti Malaya and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology presented ongoing studies involving a standardised extract derived from mangroves. The research includes investigations into the extract’s activity against harmful microorganisms and its potential to preserve beneficial microbes.
The researchers said laboratory findings represented only an initial stage of validation. Further work, including safety assessments, reproducibility testing and clinical evaluation, would be required before any potential healthcare applications could be assessed.
Clinical discussions included an initial recurrent gynaecological case being documented and followed over time. A multi-centre clinical observation programme involving primary-care and women’s-health clinics in Malaysia is also under way to collect real-world evidence and inform the design of future clinical studies.
SATEERA®, described as a technology partner, supports the development of reproducible technologies for further laboratory and clinical investigation.
Datuk Wira Calvin Khiu, co-founder of SATEERA®, said:
“As a technology partner, our responsibility is to ensure that scientific development follows the evidence. Where the evidence is strong, we move forward; where more research is needed, we continue to learn and improve. Ultimately, technology should be guided by science and developed to serve people.”
The seminar concluded with the Kuala Lumpur Scientific Declaration 2026. According to the organisers, the declaration represents a commitment by participating scientists, clinicians, governmental stakeholders and industry representatives to continue research, independent validation, clinical investigation and international collaboration on more selective anti-infective approaches.
The declaration does not establish a completed medical or regulatory standard. Instead, it marks the start of a research initiative from Malaysia and invites researchers, clinicians, laboratories, institutions and industry partners to contribute evidence and critical perspectives to the proposed shift from total elimination towards Smart Anti-Infective approaches.
