Cancer Research Malaysia

What Cancer Research Malaysia does

Cancer Research Malaysia is a nonprofit cancer research organisation founded in 1999 and headquartered in Subang Jaya, Selangor, that focuses on cancers disproportionately affecting Asian populations — addressing a market gap in which Asians represent nearly half of global cancer cases but a small fraction of research cohorts. Its mission covers prevention, early detection, treatment, and survivorship programmes tailored to Malaysian and broader Asian contexts.

Its product portfolio centres on four pillars: (1) MeMoSA (Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere), a smartphone-based teleconsultation platform launched in 2017 that uses computer vision to classify oral lesions and was officially adopted by the Malaysian Ministry of Health in February 2024; (2) a patented, Malaysian-developed oral cancer vaccine that has progressed into Phase 1 human clinical trials; (3) genetic testing and counselling services delivered through Genetix.my and the Embracing BRCA programme for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer risk; and (4) the NORA Patient Navigation Programme supporting underprivileged breast cancer patients, now replicated across four Malaysian states. The underlying technology stack combines an in-house AI image-classification model trained on a 30,000-oral-lesion-image database spanning five Asian countries with mobile teleconsultation workflows, clinical-trial infrastructure, and genetic counselling services.

The organisation's revenue model is a nonprofit blend of individual subscriptions (RM10/month), corporate subscriptions (RM100/month), government and international research grants (MOSTI, Academy of Sciences Malaysia, Newton-Ungku Omar Fund, Global Challenges Research Fund), fundraising events such as the Terry Fox Run, modest fees from genetic testing services, and digital donations via Give.Asia and MaybankHeart. Go-to-market relies on public-sector policy adoption (Ministry of Health integration), academic and clinical partnerships (University of Malaya, HUKM Specialist Centre), pharmaceutical partnerships (AstraZeneca), and a trained volunteer network extending reach into rural and underserved communities.

Name

Cancer Research Malaysia

Legal name

Cancer Research Malaysia 200001007481 (510087-M)

Website

https://cancerresearch.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cancer Research Malaysia is a Malaysian nonprofit research organisation founded in 1999 that develops cancer diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines tailored to Asian populations through programmes including MeMoSA oral screening, genetic testing, and clinical trials.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Cancer Research Services

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Global Health Research, Clinical Trials & Product Development Partnerships (PDPs) (HLAJAOAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Oral Cancer Screening (HLABAHAF), Breast Oncology (HLAKAFAJ), Genetic & Genomic Testing (germline, somatic, carrier, pharmacogenomics) (HLAAALAD), Oncology Specialty Pharmaceuticals (HLAIACAA)

Keywords

• Cancer research services
• Genetic testing counseling
• Oral cancer screening
• Patient navigation programs
• Cancer immunotherapy research

Headquarters

HQ city

Selangor

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising: Primary revenue stream from individual donors (RM10/month sustainable funding campaign) and corporate donors (RM100/month). Fundraising through events like Terry Fox Run, Gala Dinners, and cycling challenges. Online fundraising through Give.Asia and MaybankHeart platforms.
2. Grants and Research Funding: Funding from government bodies including MOSTI (Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation), Academy Sciences of Malaysia, Newton-Ungku Omar Fund, Global Challenges Research Fund, Strategic Research Fund, and international organizations. Research grants from entities like Dr Ranjeet Bhagwan Singh Research Grant.
3. Genetic Testing Services: Revenue from genetic testing and counseling services offered through the Genetix.my platform, including BRCA testing for hereditary cancer risk assessment. Services supported by partnerships with pharmaceutical companies like AstraZeneca.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Cancer Research Malaysia is a nonprofit research organization that conducts cancer research focused on Asian-specific cancers (oral, breast, hereditary). It delivers early detection technologies (MeMoSA mobile screening app), genetic testing and counseling services (Genetix.my, Embracing BRCA), a patient navigation program (NORA) for underprivileged breast cancer patients, and is developing a Malaysian-made oral cancer vaccine. Services are funded through donations, grants, and community fundraising events like the Terry Fox Run.

Product overview

Cancer Research Malaysia operates a portfolio of interconnected cancer research products and programs. The core technology product is MeMoSA® (Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere), a mobile/web teleconsultation platform for early oral cancer detection that enables rural communities to connect with specialists. Supporting this are genetic services including Embracing BRCA genetic counseling and Genetix.my testing access. The organization is developing a Malaysian-made oral cancer vaccine in clinical trials. Community support programs include the NORA Patient Navigation Programme for breast cancer patients and the Terry Fox Run fundraising initiative. Together these products form a continuum from early detection and prevention (MeMoSA, genetic services) through treatment development (vaccine) to patient support (NORA) and community fundraising (Terry Fox Run).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• MeMoSA: Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere - a mobile health tool for early oral cancer detection
• Genetix
• NORA

Products and services

• MeMoSA® (Mobile Mouth Screening Anywhere) A mobile and web-based teleconsultation platform that enables early detection of oral cancer by allowing trained healthcare volunteers and primary care practitioners to capture images of oral lesions via smartphone and send them to dental specialists for remote review. Officially launched by the Ministry of Health Malaysia in February 2024 and enhanced with AI image-classification capabilities, it bridges rural communities with clinical expertise.
• Malaysian-Made Oral Cancer Vaccine A therapeutic vaccine developed by the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Science Unit that trains the immune system to target and eliminate oral cancer cells. Patented in multiple countries and showing up to 97% cancer control in laboratory models when combined with approved immunotherapy; entering phase one human clinical trials.
• Embracing BRCA (Genetic Counseling Services) A genetic counseling service providing hereditary cancer risk assessment for breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers. Includes pre- and post-test genetic counseling, BRCA testing, and psychosocial impact evaluation tailored to Asian families, with genetic counselors helping patients understand genetic risks and testing options.
• NORA: Patient Navigation Programme A nurse-led patient navigation program that helps underprivileged breast cancer patients overcome barriers to timely diagnosis and treatment by working with hospitals, public services, and communities. Replicated in 4 Malaysian states with plans to expand nationwide.
• Terry Fox Run Malaysia An annual fundraising event organized by Cancer Research Malaysia to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Engages community participants across multiple cities, with nearly 3,000 participants at the Putrajaya 2025 event.
• Genetix.my (Genetic Testing Access Platform) An online portal improving access to genetic testing and counseling for hereditary cancers in Malaysia. Helps individuals understand hereditary cancer risk (approximately 10% of cancers may be hereditary) and access genetic testing services.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% of oral cancer patients diagnosed at advanced stages (III and IV), lowering cure rate to only 20%
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Terry Fox FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLicensing partnership for Terry Fox Run events in Malaysia. The organization organizes Terry Fox Run events across Malaysia (Putrajaya, Malacca, Shah Alam) under license from the foundation. Nearly 3,000 participants attended the 2025 Putrajaya event.
• Ministry of Health MalaysiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Patient Navigation Programme for underprivileged breast cancer patients. Partnership on MeMoSA app officially launched by Ministry of Health in February 2024. Collaboration aligned with National Oral Health Plan for early detection.
• University of Malaya (Faculty of Dentistry)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership for oral cancer research and MeMoSA development. Professor Cheong Sok Ching serves as Professor at University of Malaya. Collaboration on teleconsultation tools and screening programs.
• Academy Sciences of MalaysiamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatutory body under MOSTI supporting CRMY's digital health initiatives. CEO Madam Hazami Habib highlighted importance of digitalisation in healthcare. Partner organization for MeMoSA platform support.
• High Commission of Canada to MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiplomatic partnership for Terry Fox Run events. Her Excellency Jodi Robinson, High Commissioner, participated in flag-off ceremony and gave welcome speech at Putrajaya 2025 event.
• IOI City MallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Terry Fox Run Putrajaya 2025. Assistant General Manager Wilfred Wong participated in flag-off ceremony.
• Lite FMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRadio partner providing emcee services for Terry Fox Run events. Terry Ong from Lite FM hosted the Putrajaya 2025 event.
• Believe FitnessminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer fitness partners who conducted warm-up and cool-down sessions at Terry Fox Run events.
• Seniors AloudminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity performance group providing entertainment at Terry Fox Run events.
• Leaderonomics ClubminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth organization with presence in over 100 schools nationwide, challenged Wong family to fundraise for Cancer Care Cycle project and supported cancer awareness initiatives.
• IGB International School (IGBIS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool where students Maloe and Wen Yi organized Terry Fox Run, raising over RM9,000 and registering over 100 participants for cancer research.
• Give.AsiaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline fundraising platform partner for cancer research campaigns including MeMoSA screening and Support Our Scientists initiatives.
• MaybankHeartminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOnline fundraising platform partner for ongoing fundraisers including MeMoSA project support.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Susan G. Komen: Leading global breast cancer non-profit supporting research, genetic counseling and patient navigation. Directly comparable to CRMY's Genetix.my/Embracing BRCA and NORA breast cancer navigation programmes.
• American Cancer Society: US non-profit funding cancer research, patient support and screening programs. Comparable as a donation-funded organization operating across research, early detection and patient navigation, similar to CRMY's research + MeMoSA + NORA mix.
• Cancer Research UK: Large UK non-profit funding cancer research, prevention and early detection. Directly comparable to Cancer Research Malaysia as a mission-aligned cancer research charity combining discovery science, screening innovation and public fundraising.

Regional players

• National Cancer Centre Singapore: Singapore's national specialty centre for cancer research and treatment. Comparable as a regional Asian clinical-research institution that CRMY's collaborators and competitors engage with, focused on cancers prevalent in Asian populations.
• A*STAR (Agency for Science, Technology and Research): Singapore's main public-sector R&D agency with significant biomedical and genomics capabilities. Comparable as a publicly funded Asian life-sciences research organization whose genomics, AI and translational programs overlap with CRMY's Asian-genetics and CRISPR work.
• Genome Institute of Singapore: Singapore-based genomics research institute under A*STAR focused on Asian population genomics and precision medicine. Closely comparable as an Asian-genomics research body whose focus on non-Caucasian genetics overlaps directly with CRMY's Genetix.my and Asian-cancers research.
• Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre: Australia's leading cancer research, treatment and education centre. Comparable as an Asia-Pacific specialty cancer institution pursuing immunotherapy, genomics and clinical trials similar to CRMY's research programme.

Broad incumbents

• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Premier US cancer treatment and research institution with deep programmes in genomics and clinical trials. Comparable as a leading global oncology research center whose genetic testing, immunotherapy and clinical-trial infrastructure resemble CRMY's translational ambitions at much larger scale.
• Fred Hutch (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center): Major US cancer research and treatment center known for bone marrow transplantation and immunotherapy research. Comparable as a much larger non-academic research institution whose vaccine, immunotherapy and genetic testing portfolio overlaps directly with CRMY's research lines.

Emerging players

• Duke-NUS Medical School: Singapore-based research-intensive medical school with strong programmes in cancer and population health. Comparable as an Asian academic-clinical research partner that conducts translational oncology, genetic epidemiology and clinical trials similar to CRMY.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cancerresearchmalaysia
• Xx.com/reversecancer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cancerresearchmalaysia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cancer Research Malaysia