BY JAYASYALINY JAYARAJ
KUALA LUMPUR: Duopharma Biotech Berhad, a leading Malaysian pharmaceutical and trading company unveiled its new logo and name at a rebranding event held here on Dec 18.
Duopharma was formerly a part of the Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad (CCMB) and is largely owned by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).
The launch was officiated by Jalil Rasheed, President and Group Chief Executive of PNB together with Tan Sri Siti Sa’diah Sh Bakir, Chairperson of Duopharma Biotech and other board members including Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director of Duopharma Biotech.
Speaking at the opening ceremony,
[ihc-hide-content ihc_mb_type=”show” ihc_mb_who=”2,3″ ihc_mb_template=”1″ ]Siti Sa’diah said it is a proud day for Duopharma Biotech Berhad which went through a demerger exercise from CCMB at the end of Dec 2017.
“This demerging is largely meant to unlock value and explore growth possibilities in a more expeditious and efficient manner by rebranding ourselves.”
“Rebranding is not only about changing the old logo to a new one but to ensure the brand and more importantly, the goodwill that has been built over the years is carried over. We took the opportunity to create a new identity building on many years of delivering quality, safe and efficacious products to Malaysian and international patients and consumers,” she added.
Jalil Rasheed in his speech said as a major shareholder in Duopharma Biotech Berhad, PNB is pleased to see that the company is involved in innovative technologies and differentiating itself from others in the market whilst adopting business models that are sustainable.
Since the rebirth of Duopharma Biotech Berhad, it has continued to pursue both strategic and financial growth initiatives including:
• Registering and launching codeveloped Erythroprotein (biosimilar medicine names “Erysaa”
• Registering and lauching “Hertrax”, a medicine for breast cancer
• Acquiring strategic stake in a regenerative medicine company named SCM Lifescience based in South Korea
• Building a new state-of-the-art facility known as HAPI for “High Potency Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient” which is a biosimilar plant
• Upgrading the manufacturing and warehousing facilities in Malaysia and many other countries
At the rebranding launch, Duopharma also strengthened its leadership in halal pharmaceuticals by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with KPJ Healthcare to explore mutually beneficial collaborations and initiatives to promote halal pharmaceutical products.
Speaking to the media, Leonard Ariff said: “This year marks a milestone for our halal journey as this is the 20th anniversary of our achievement in receiving the first halal certification for our over-the-counter products from Jabatan Kemajuan Islam Malaysia (JAKIM) back in 1999. We will continue to intensify our focus on halal pharmaceuticals as we believe the demand for such products is growing and it also provides Duopharma Biotech Berhad with a differentiated offering amongst generics manufacturers.”
“KPJ Healthcare Berhad is a wellknown healthcare provider in Malaysia and the region, and we feel proud to collaborate with KPJ on this halal pharmaceuticals initiative. I believe that there are synergies that both parties can leverage on in the halal pharmaceuticals space,” he added.
The halal pharmaceutical industry globally is a multi-billion-dollar industry with expenditures of USD 75 billion in 2017. It is expected to grow to an estimated USD 132 billion by 2021. Malaysia is fast becoming recognised as the leading global halal hub, as well as the global reference and trade centre for the mainstream halal industry. [/ihc-hide-content]
