The Health June 2020 | Page 22

12 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 ERYS PanG pursu Biote Halal once comp up at “O relati halal this y secon in col Keban more policy acade and h semin healt initia oppor W in Jun MS 24 Gene engag the d cells p stand halal biosim Du the p in Ma more