PUCHONG: Pharmaniaga Bhd
’s newly launched biopharmaceutical plant is expected to contribute 30 to 35 per cent to gross profit margin (GPM) for the 2026 financial year (FY2026).
The Puchong facility will be the first locally owned biopharmaceutical plant in Malaysia.
Pharmaniaga managing director Zulkifli Jafar said the plant, which manufactures human insulin and vaccines, will commence in 2026.
"We are looking at a revenue of at least RM100 million per annum for insulin and RM300 million for vaccine. So, (the facility) is contributing almost RM400 million,” he said after launching the plant today.
Certified by the European Union good manufacturing practice (EU GMP), he said the plant’s annual capacity is 30 million doses of human insulin, exceeding Malaysia’s demand of about 25 million.
He is, therefore, optimistic that the facility will strengthen Pharmaniaga’s balance sheet.
The plant, currently undergoing simulation procedures, is seeking regulatory authorities’ approval.
By building local capabilities, Zulkifli said Pharmaniaga aims to help the government reduce import dependency, particularly for critical items such as insulin and vaccines, thereby fostering a more resilient healthcare system and increasing public access to medicines.
He said insulin demand will continue to rise as 4.4 million Malaysians are living with diabetes and this is projected to rise to 5.1 million by 2030.
"Producing insulin locally ensures the security of long-term supply. This plant is pivotal in meeting the growing needs of diabetic patients in Malaysia,” he said.
On its exit plan for its Practice Note 17 (PN17) status, Zulkifli said the company expects Bursa Malaysia to approve its regularisation plan by next month. The exercise will take three to four months.
"So we are looking at the first quarter of 2025,” he said.
The company triggered the PN17 criteria on Feb 27, 2023, following an audit of its consolidated financial statements for the period ended Dec 31, 2022. - Bernama
