Biocon: First Insulin Plant in Malaysia

Exciting times are ahead for Malaysia when Biocon Ltd begins operations in the country next year.

Malaysia Biotechnology Corp (Biotech Corp) biomedical section senior vice-president Jay Padasian said it had taken about two years to convince the company to set up its integrated insulin plant in Malaysia.

 

“If you look at some of the interviews conducted with Biocon’s founder Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, she said there was an intensive engagement by Malaysia to get the company into the country,” said Padasian when met on the sideline of the Bio International Convention here.

 

The almost-completed Biocon integrated insulin plant is located at a sprawling 40acre facility in Nusajaya, Johor. It is the largest insulin plant in Asia, said Padasian.

 

Biocon has invested more than US$160mil (RM592mil) to set up the plant and this is the largest foreign investment in Malaysia’s biomedical sector. According to Padasian, the idea to get a big biopharmaceutical player into the country was mooted in 2008. 

 

He added getting a big company like Biocon into the country was a crucial element required to build a domestic biomedical industry. The setting up of the facility has created a number of job opportunities for Malaysians, especially young graduates from related disciplines.

 

Biocon’s presence would make it easier to promote and sell Malaysia as a biotechnology hub.

 

/theSTAR 22-06-2015

 

 

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