Dr. Danny Wong, Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences during his opening speech.

KUALA LUMPUR, 30 September 2026 — BREGO Life Sciences has launched the Powering Mobility: RISE Program, an investigator-led research initiative designed to provide eligible medical officers and healthcare professionals with a platform to develop and submit clinically relevant research and case studies in Joint and Nerve Health. Selected submissions may also be considered for further research support.

While healthcare professionals recognise the importance of clinical research, translating that interest into active participation remains a challenge. A Malaysian study involving specialists from three government hospitals found that while all respondents believed research benefited patients and society, only 44.9 per cent were actively involved in research. Limited access to research expertise, statistical and software support, as well as challenges in navigating research approval processes, were among the barriers identified.

RISE, which stands for Research, Innovation & Scientific Excellence, provides a structured pathway for healthcare professionals to develop research ideas from clinical questions and initial concepts through to presentation and independent scientific evaluation. The programme aims to help participants better understand and navigate the various stages involved in developing clinical research.

According to Dr Danny Wong, Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences, clinical research can begin with a simple question arising from the day-to-day care of patients. However, transforming such observations into structured research requires the right knowledge, guidance and resources. Through RISE, BREGO aims to provide healthcare professionals with a clearer pathway to develop their ideas, submit them for scientific evaluation and, where selected, access further support to advance their research.

(From L to R) Prof Madya Dato’ Dr Wan Asyraf Wan Zaidi, Consultant Neurologist, HUKM, Prof. Dr. Amran Bin Ahmed Shokri, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, HUSM, Dr. Danny Wong, Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences, Valerie Lu, Medical & Regulatory Affairs Manager, BREGO Life Sciences and Dr. Anna Misya’il Abdul Rashid, Consultant Neurologist, HUPM during the official launching ceremony for BREGO Scientific Program (RISE).

The launch of RISE was held alongside the inaugural BREGO Clinical Research Day, which was designed to equip healthcare professionals with practical knowledge on developing and conducting clinical research. The event brought together representatives from the Clinical Research Centre (CRC) and Medical Research and Ethics Committee (MREC) under the Ministry of Health Malaysia, as well as experienced clinician-researchers from teaching institutions.

Throughout the sessions, participants explored how to transform clinical questions into research projects, understand research ethics and navigate research approval requirements. Clinician-led sessions also provided practical insights into taking research concepts through to publication, as well as developing industry-supported clinical studies, giving participants a clearer understanding of how research can progress from an initial idea to a completed study.

Dr Tay Ju Fan, Manager, Clinical Research Centre (CRC), Hospital Selayang, noted that many healthcare professionals have valuable research ideas arising from their daily clinical practice. Creating an environment where these ideas can be developed, she said, is an important part of strengthening Malaysia’s clinical research ecosystem.

She also highlighted the role of programmes such as RISE, together with research capacity-building initiatives by the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), in increasing awareness of the research process and connecting clinicians with available knowledge and resources. These include initiatives such as Introduction to Clinical Research, which help support healthcare professionals who are new to research.

Through RISE, BREGO aims to encourage high-quality investigator-led research and case studies that strengthen clinical evidence in Joint and Nerve Health, while contributing to improved patient care. Eligible healthcare professionals can submit research or case study abstracts focusing on either Joint or Nerve Health for independent scientific evaluation.

Up to 20 selected submissions in each therapeutic area may be considered for research development opportunities, while selected top-performing studies may be eligible for further support based on their scientific merit, clinical relevance and feasibility.

RISE will serve as an annual platform for healthcare professionals to advance continuing education, scientific collaboration and evidence generation. For the 2026/2027 submission cycle, submissions are expected to remain open until the end of January 2027. Through the initiative, BREGO Life Sciences aims to support the development of clinical research capabilities, encourage collaboration across the healthcare community and contribute to building a stronger and more sustainable research culture in Malaysia.