Juniper
Dr. Danny Wong, Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences during his opening speech
BREGO Life Sciences today launched the Powering Mobility: RISE Program, an investigator-led research initiative that provides eligible medical officers and healthcare professionals with a platform to develop and submit clinically relevant research and case studies in Joint and Nerve Health, with selected submissions eligible for further research support.
While clinicians recognise the value of research, translating that interest into active participation can remain challenging. A Malaysian study involving specialists at three government hospitals found that while all respondents believed research benefited patients and society, only 44.9% were currently involved in research. Limited access to research expertise, software and statistical support, alongside challenges navigating research approvals, were among the barriers identified.
RISE, which stands for Research, Innovation & Scientific Excellence, provides a structured pathway for healthcare professionals to take research ideas from clinical questions and concepts through to presentation and independent scientific evaluation, helping participants navigate the different stages of developing their research.
“Clinical research may begin as simply as a question that arises from caring for patients every day. However, turning that observation into a structured research project requires the right knowledge, guidance and resources. Through RISE, we want to provide healthcare professionals with a clear pathway to develop their ideas, put them forward for scientific evaluation and, where selected, access the support to take their research further.
In doing so, we hope to encourage more healthcare professionals to contribute to clinical evidence, while strengthening a culture that cultivates greater research opportunities in Malaysia,” said Dr Danny Wong, Managing Director, BREGO Life Sciences.
Building the Foundations for Clinician-Led Research
The RISE Program was launched alongside the inaugural BREGO Clinical Research Day, 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, alongside experienced clinician-researchers from teaching institutions.
Across the sessions, participants explored how to turn clinical questions into research projects, understand research ethics and navigate the requirements for research approval. Clinician-led sessions also provided practical insights into taking research concepts through to publication, as well as the development of industry-supported clinical studies, giving participants a clearer view of how research can progress from an initial idea to a completed study.
“In my experience, many healthcare professionals have good research ideas arising from their daily clinical practice. Creating the right environment for these ideas to be developed is an important part of strengthening Malaysia’s clinical research ecosystem. Programmes such as RISE, together with research capacity-building initiatives by the Institute for Clinical Research (ICR), National Institutes of Health (NIH), Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), can help create greater awareness of the research process and connect clinicians with the knowledge and resources available to them. These include programmes such as the Introduction to Clinical Research, which help support clinicians who are new to research. By strengthening these foundations and encouraging greater collaboration between healthcare professionals and researchers, we can continue to build a stronger and more sustainable research ecosystem in Malaysia” said Dr Tay Ju Fan, Manager, Clinical Research Centre (CRC), Hospital Selayang.
Advancing Research in Joint and Nerve Health
Through RISE, BREGO aims to encourage high-quality investigator-led research and case studies that strengthen clinical evidence in Joint and Nerve Health and contribute to improved patient care.
Eligible healthcare professionals can submit research or case study abstracts focused 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, with selected top-performing studies eligible for further support as they progress, based on their scientific merit, clinical relevance and feasibility.
RISE will provide an annual platform for healthcare professionals, with the 2026/2027 submission cycle expected to remain open until the end of January 2027. Through the programme, BREGO Life Sciences aims to foster continued education, scientific collaboration and evidence generation, contributing to long-term clinical impact and a stronger culture of research in Malaysia.
