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THE HEalTH | JUNE, 2020
Together with its partner, Biocon,
Duopharma Biotech intends to continue
to supply insulin to the Malaysian
government, which remains a significant
component within its speciality area
beyond 2020. It is currently supplying the
MoH on a one-year extension of insulin
procurement in 2020.
“We are also confident of securing
the supply of erythropoietin to MoH. In
addition, we will continue participating in
various contracts called by the MoH, as well
as the private market,” he said referring
to the renal biosimilar product which
was co-developed with PanGen Biotech of
Korea.
Leonard Ariff acknowledged Duopharma
Biotech had been affected by the rise of
the USD currency, which has impacted
production and operational costs since
about 50-60 per cent of the Cost of Goods is
denominated in USD.
The company also has plans to increase
market share in the keenly competitive
local market. According to IQVIA’s March
2020 report, Duopharma Biotech had 6.4 per
cent market share in terms of sales value.
“We will continue to implement our
diversification strategy. We will also move
into the biosimilars space to offer our
co-developed Erythropoietin, which will
eventually be manufactured at our plant in
Klang,” he shared.
He added the company remained positive
that it will continue its partnership with
Biocon to distribute insulin to the MoH. In
addition, it is working to build its trading
portfolio with its partners and introduce
additional biosimilars into the Malaysian
and regional markets.
“I would like to highlight that our HAPI
facility in Glenmarie is now operational
and is manufacturing a range of oncology
and psychotropic drugs, which will be
supplied to both the public and private
markets,” said Leonard Ariff.
Producing halal-certified products
Duopharma Biotech is also a pioneer in the
area of halal pharmaceuticals. Recently,
the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF), a
foreign halal certification body recognised
by JAKIM, certified PanGen Biotech Inc
and Duopharma Biotech’s co-developed
biosimilar erythropoietin branded as
i would like
to highlight
that our haPi
facility in
Glenmarie
is now
operational
and is
manufacturing
a range of
oncology and
psychotropic
drugs, which
will be
supplied to
both the public
and private
markets.”
— Leonard Ariff
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