Biocon Limited announced its partner, Duopharma Biotech Berhad, has secured Malaysian insulin tenders valued at over MYR 225 million for the current year. Biocon’s Malaysian subsidiary will supply short-acting recombinant human insulin, insulin glargine, and insulin aspart. This collaboration underscores a decade-long partnership aimed at enhancing diabetes care accessibility and affordability in Malaysia, aligning with national healthcare objectives.
Biocon’s Partner Secures Major Insulin Contracts in Malaysia
Biocon Limited, a global biopharmaceutical company, announced today that its long-standing partner, Duopharma Biotech Berhad, through its subsidiary Duopharma (M) Sendirian Berhad, has successfully secured multiple insulin contracts from the Ministry of Health (MoH), Malaysia. These contracts are valued at over MYR 225 million for the year.
Supply Chain and Product Details
As part of these agreements, Biocon’s Malaysian subsidiary, Biocon Sdn. Bhd., will be responsible for supplying short-acting recombinant human insulin, insulin glargine, and insulin aspart to Duopharma (M) Sendirian Berhad. This supply will support the distribution of these critical therapies, aiming to provide continued access to high-quality, cost-effective insulin for people living with diabetes in Malaysia.
Contract Valuations and Duration
The contracts include a three-year agreement for human insulin, valued at approximately MYR 155.27 million. Additionally, there are two separate two-year agreements for insulin glargine, valued at approximately MYR 18 million, and for insulin aspart, valued at approximately MYR 52.5 million. These agreements align with Malaysia’s national development plans, including the 13th Malaysia Plan (“RMK-13”) and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 (“NIMP 2030”), emphasizing a commitment to improving patient healthcare outcomes through a stable and accessible medicine supply.
Strategic Importance and Partnership Value
Shreehas Tambe, CEO & Managing Director of Biocon Limited, highlighted Malaysia’s central role in Biocon’s insulin journey, noting the country’s largest insulin manufacturing facility in Asia. He stated, “Our Johor operations enable us to deliver insulin at scale, expanding patient access in Malaysia and around the world. This reinforces our strategy to address growing healthcare needs while advancing our mission of making life-changing medicines affordable and accessible to patients everywhere.”
Joe Sian, Site Head at Biocon Sdn. Bhd., added, “Biocon’s partnership with Duopharma Biotech has helped expand access to insulin therapies for patients in Malaysia. With an estimated 4.75 million people living with diabetes in the country, ensuring affordable insulin supply is essential. This collaboration enables us to support patients across our full portfolio of insulin products.”
Encik Wan Amir-Jeffery Wan Abdul Majid, GCEO of Duopharma Biotech Berhad, expressed delight in marking a decade of supporting the healthcare ecosystem with Biocon. He remarked, “It is more critical than ever to have robust domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity to safeguard patient access to essential medicines, strengthening national medicine security and achieving healthcare self-reliance for the country.”
Biocon’s Malaysian Operations and Global Reach
Biocon Sdn. Bhd. operates one of Asia’s largest integrated insulin facilities in Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia. This facility boasts integrated capabilities for drug substance manufacturing and drug product fill-finish operations, producing a comprehensive portfolio of insulins for both Malaysian and global markets. The facility has secured approvals from multiple global regulatory agencies, including the U.S. FDA and the EMA, positioning it as a key player in the global biotechnology sector. Biocon’s investments in Malaysia have not only advanced the country’s biotechnology sector but have also contributed to reduced reliance on imported insulin, enhanced affordability, and price stability.
Long-Standing Collaboration
Biocon has been collaborating with Duopharma Biotech since 2016, addressing Malaysia’s growing diabetes burden. Over the past decade, this partnership has resulted in the supply of over 120 million insulin cartridges to Malaysian MoH facilities, supporting more than 450,000 patients. Beyond diabetes care, the companies have also partnered in oncology and ophthalmology, further enhancing access to high-quality biologic therapies in Malaysia.
Source: BSE
