Malaysia: Duopharma Biotech and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Partner to Elevate Halal Standards in Healthcare

Launched by Khairul Azwan Harun, Chairman of Halal Development Corporation (HDC), the symposium saw the participation of Prof Dato’ Dr Hanafiah Harunarashid, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Kuala Lumpur Campus), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia; Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director, Duopharma Biotech Berhad and various other representatives from the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors, including Government and non-government bodies; academic and research institutions; healthcare practitioners as well as industry players.

Aiming to provide a platform for exposure, knowledge sharing and discussion among delegates, thus contributing to enhancing the sustainability of the Halal pharmaceutical industry in Malaysia and globally, the symposium featured a panel discussion, paper presentations, viewing of research posters and a research colloquium. The panel discussion saw sharing of insights from speakers representing UKM, Duopharma Biotech, the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), HDC, the Ministry of Defence and the Malaysian Pharmacist Society.

Continuing collaboration

HPS 2024 is a continuation of several initiatives between UKM and Duopharma Biotech since 2019 to bolster the Halal pharmaceutical economy, with Duopharma Biotech also funding research and development efforts by UKM, based at the Halal Pharmaceutical Business Initiative Centre (HPBI) under the coordination of the UKM Graduate School of Business (UKM-GSB). HPBI is a shared facility for UKM faculty members from different disciplines, including the Faculties of Science and Technology, Pharmacy and Islamic Studies and the Graduate School of Business. Meanwhile, the university’s IDEA Centre has established a Halal Economy research group involving the Faculties of Economics, Management, Pharmacy, Islamic Studies, Science & Technology, and UNIPEQ Sdn Bhd – the university’s commercialisation arm. The group aims to advance knowledge through research, training, professional certification, conferences and collaborations with global stakeholders.

Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director, Duopharma Biotech Berhad commented, “We are honoured to co-organise HPS 2024 with UKM. As our longstanding R&D partner in Halal pharmaceutical science and commercial applications, we have made significant progress together and look forward to reaching many more milestones. Through this symposium, Duopharma Biotech is maintaining our momentum in spearheading strategic collaborations to capture fast-growing potential in the Halal pharmaceutical industry and elevate the position of Halal pharmaceuticals within the global pharmaceutical landscape.”

“As the Halal Pharmaceutical leader in Malaysia with 25 years of excellence in producing Halal certified products for consumers, our efforts are driven by our “Halal Built-in” policy and ESG commitment which includes a focus on Access to Medicine. Our aim is to enhance inclusivity in healthcare, enabling all patients to have choices in the therapies and medications they need for their well-being – safe for use and effective, high in quality, hygienic and Halal-certified,” he added.

Prof Dato’ Gs. Ts. Dr Mohd Ekhwan Hj Toriman, Vice-Chancellor, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, emphasised the importance of academic research in advancing the Halal pharmaceutical sector. “UKM is one of Malaysia’s leading public universities, known for its strong emphasis on research, including in fields like science, technology and medicine. At UKM, we believe that Halal pharmaceuticals represent a critical opportunity to merge scientific and business innovation with religious compliance. This collaboration between academia and industry can lead to new research initiatives, product development, training modules and advancements in Halal certification, ensuring global access to Halal-compliant pharmaceutical products.”

Malaysia’s Halal industry is projected to expand to USD113.2 billion by 2030, with a GDP contribution of 8.1% by 2025 through the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030, spurred by the Government’s aim to elevate Malaysia’s position as a key player in the global Halal market. Pharmaceuticals are a key growth sector, increasing 156.7% from 2021 to 2022 – the highest growth recorded. Globally, the Halal industry offers enormous potential, projected to rise to USD5 trillion in value by 2030 from the current USD3.5 trillion, alongside a growth in consumer numbers from 1.9 billion to 2.3 billion by 2030.

Established leadership

Duopharma Biotech was the first pharmaceutical Company to receive Halal certification from JAKIM for its Consumer Healthcare Products in 1999, in accordance with MS 1500:2009 standards, pioneering a range of 100% Halal health supplements, including CHAMPS, Flavettes, Proviton and Naturalle products. The Company also complies with the Malaysian Standard on Halal Pharmaceuticals MS 2424:2019, which provides clear guidance on the requirements for producing Halal pharmaceuticals.

Duopharma Biotech is also the first pharmaceutical company to receive Halal certification from JAKIM for an oncology product, produced at its cutting-edge Highly Potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (HAPI) facility located in Glenmarie, Shah Alam, the first cancer medicine manufacturing facility in Malaysia, with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification from the Malaysian National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency. The Company’s first biosimilar registered in Malaysia, Erysaa (Erythropoietin) is also the first in its category to be certified Halal by the Korea Muslim Federation (KMF) in 2020. Likewise, Duopharma Biotech’s cosmeceutical range IRORO Nutreatment haircare products developed using stem cell technology, is Halal-certified by KMF. Duopharma Biotech is a member of the HDC’s Sectoral Working Group.

For more information on the Halal Pharmaceuticals Symposium 2024, please visit https://halal4pharma.com/hps2024/