Latest news with #Pharmaniaga
Focus Malaysia
3 hours ago
- Business
- Focus Malaysia
Southeast Asia pharma market set to outgrow global average
SOUTHASIA Asia (SEA) presents a substantial future prospect for the pharmaceutical market. Its projected growth rate significantly outpaces the global average and other major established markets. As of calendar year 2024 (CY24), global total market size for pharmaceuticals is estimated at USD1.5 tri. In comparison, SEA's total market size is estimated at USD27 bil. The significant growth for SEA indicates that ASEAN is a prime growth engine for the global pharmaceutical industry. This makes it an attractive destination for investment and market expansion. The Philippines and Malaysia show steady growth in a biosimilar export potential, reaching USD 111 mil and USD 70 mil respectively by 2027. Malaysia's growth, though robust, is relatively smaller in absolute terms compared to Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. However, companies like Duopharma and Pharmaniaga are actively developing Halal-certified biosimilars. Overall, biosimilars is an untapped potential due to increasing healthcare demands and cost pressure. 'We believe that investing in local manufacturing of biosimilars can open avenues for SEA countries to export,' said MBSB Research. Countries that prioritise and invest in local biosimilar production are likely to become stronger exporters in this field. This aligns with the broader trends of high pharmaceutical market growth in SEA driven by demographics, NCDs, and the increasing sophistication of healthcare systems, all of which necessitate tailored and creative market strategies. Malaysia's pharmaceutical sector boasts a strong and strategically recognized local manufacturing base that significantly contributes to medicine security, especially for generics and essential medicines. While Malaysia demonstrates capabilities in exporting to highly regulated markets like the USA, it remains heavily reliant on imports for patented drugs, biologics, vaccines, and key APIs. The main challenge for Malaysia lies in bridging this gap by further boosting local R&D, attracting more sophisticated manufacturing capabilities, and strengthening its position in the global pharmaceutical value chain beyond just generics. 79% of total volume of generic medicines and 47% of items listed in National Essential Medicines List (NEML) are locally produced. However, most drugs, notably patented medicaments, immunoglobulins, human vaccines and insulins, are still dependent on imports. Malaysia consistently shows widening trade deficit underscores Malaysia's high reliance on imported pharmaceuticals. While local production is strong in generics, the country still depends heavily on foreign sources for innovative, patented, and specialised medicines. This reinforces the government's strategic focus on local manufacturing and technology transfer to enhance medicine security and reduce import dependency in the long run. The overall trend in the regional and local pharmaceutical market suggests that both domestic and foreign investors will see growing opportunities in Malaysia. The 51% FDI / 49% DDI ratio suggests a healthy balance between local commitment, and global capital and expertise. FDI indicates that Malaysia is highly attractive to foreign pharmaceutical companies, bringing in capital, technology, and global best practices, while DDI signifies robust local entrepreneurship and investment from Malaysian companies, demonstrating confidence in the domestic market and capabilities. We opine that the untapped drug manufacturing ecosystem will continue to follow the megatrend of new innovative drugs – including biologics, biosimilars and cell & gene therapy drugs – and open more opportunities for Malaysia to be a major healthcare hub in the region. While direct pharmaceutical exports from Malaysia to the US might face immediate headwinds from tariffs, the broader impact on Malaysia's healthcare subsector could come from indirect effects on global pharmaceutical supply chains and procurement costs. This would affect the affordability and availability of medicines within Malaysia for all citizens and healthcare providers. The Malaysian government and industry players are already responding by prioritizing supply chain diversification and exploring domestic production enhancements to mitigate these risks. Meanwhile, we believe a multi-pronged approach involving government action, industry adaptation, and consumer awareness will be crucial. Overall, we maintain positive on the healthcare sector. The pharmaceutical market is fundamentally driven by robust demographic trends, which naturally increases the demand for healthcare services and medicines. —July 23, 2025 Main image: Daily Sabah
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New Straits Times
21 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
MARKET PULSE PM JULY 22, 2025 [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: News on stock, crypto and ringgit moves. The FBM KLCI extended its losses from the previous day, ending five points lower at 1,519. Zetrix AI, Tanco Holdings, and Pharmaniaga were among the most actively traded stocks. As for the ringgit, the local currency ended the day marginally stronger against the US dollar at 4.2310. In the cryptocurrency market, Bitcoin is trending upward but remains just below the RM500,000 mark at RM498,996. Meanwhile, Ethereum is experiencing a slowdown, hovering around RM15,412. That's it for Market Pulse. Keywords: Bitcoin Cryptocurrency Bursa Malaysia Ethereum Fbm Klci Pharmaniaga Tanco Market Pulse Zetrix Ai
New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Pharmaniaga shares soar past 45pc, volume hits two-year high
KUALA LUMPUR: Shares of Pharmaniaga Bhd soared more than 45 per cent in active trade, as buying momentum lifted trading volume to levels not seen in over two years. At 11.54am, the stock was up six sen or 38.71 per cent at 21.5 sen, with 51 million shares changing hands, its busiest day since April 20, 2023. It was the second most actively traded counter at the time. The stock opened 9.68 per cent higher at 17 sen and rose as much as 22.5 sen, up 45.16 per cent from its previous close of 15.5 sen. There have been no fresh corporate announcements aside from the renounceable rights issue of up to 3.52 billion shares announced earlier this month. On July 1, the counter went ex-rights, triggering a technical price adjustment from 23.5 sen on June 30 to 16 sen. Until today's rally, the stock had been trading between 14 sen and 16.5 sen. At 22 sen, it is now edging back toward its pre-rights issue level above 20 sen. Pharmaniaga, once weighed down by a RM552.3 million impairment from unsold Covid-19 vaccines, slipped into Practice Note 17 (PN17) status in February 2023. But the company has since returned to profitability in the financial year ended Dec 31, 2024 (FY24) and expects to stay in the black in FY25. The group is eyeing revenue of RM4 billion this year, up from RM3.8 billion in FY24, a level it last crossed in FY21. Its managing director Zulkifli Jafar has said the company aims to exit PN17 status by the end of this year or early 2026. Pharmaniaga is majority-owned by Boustead Holdings Bhd, which in turn is controlled by Lembaga Tabung Angkatan Tentera (LTAT). According to the latest annual report, LTAT holds a direct 44.47 per cent stake in the company.
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
CIMB, Pharmaniaga team up to boost financial flexibility for healthcare SMEs
KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Bank Bhd has signed a collaboration agreement with Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned unit of Pharmaniaga Bhd (Pharmaniaga), to enhance supply chain financing and ease payment flexibility for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the healthcare sector. The partnership aims to provide greater financial flexibility to clinics, pharmacies and medical buyers across the sector, CIMB said. "Under the collaboration, CIMB and Pharmaniaga will offer enhanced payment flexibility to downstream buyers including private clinics and independent pharmacies through CIMB SME BusinessCard," the bank said in a statement today. Businesses can enjoy up to 50 days of extended credit when purchasing medical supplies using the card and get unlimited 0.5 per cent cash rebate on all Pharmaniaga purchases, offering a valuable incentive to improve cash flow and optimise working capital. Lawrence Loh, CIMB Group co-chief executive officer (group commercial and transaction banking), said that by offering extended credit terms and early settlement incentives, the bank is helping clinics, pharmacies, and medical buyers better manage cash flow and reduce operational strain while enhancing the quality of care they provide. "We aim to further expand our healthcare SME portfolio, driven by strategic collaborations with ecosystem partners and enhanced access to digital, sector-focused financing solutions," he said in the statement. Meanwhile, Pharmaniaga managing director Zulkifli Jafar said this collaboration reflects the pharmaceutical company's strong commitment to supporting its valued business partners with practical financial solutions to manage their supply chains more effectively. "By offering greater payment flexibility and tailored financing options, we aim to empower our partners to grow sustainably while ensuring continuous access to a broad range of pharmaceutical products to serve their clients with confidence," he said.
The Star
5 days ago
- Business
- The Star
CIMB Group appoints Syed Zaid as chairman following Nasir's retirement
Datuk Syed Zaid Albar - RAJA FAISAL HISHAN/The Star KUALA LUMPUR: CIMB Group Holdings Bhd has redesignated Datuk Syed Zaid Syed Jaffar Albar as its independent and non-executive chairman, effective July 20, 2025. Syed Zaid, 71, succeeds Tan Sri Mohd Nasir Ahmad, who retired from the board on July 19. The board of CIMB Group will comprise nine members effective July 20. Syed Zaid will serve as the independent and non-executive chairman, with Muhammad Novan Amirudin as group chief executive officer and executive director, and Didi Syafruddin Yahya as senior independent director. Other members include Datuk Lee Kok Kwan and Tengku Datuk Seri Azmil Zahruddin Raja Abdul Aziz as non-independent directors, along with Shulamite N K Khoo, Ho Yuet Mee, Datin Azlina Mahmad, and Lyn Therese McGrath as independent directors. Meanwhile, CIMB Bank Bhd has signed a collaboration agreement with Pharmaniaga Logistics Sdn Bhd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Pharmaniaga Bhd, to enhance supply chain financing and improve payment flexibility for SMEs in the healthcare sector. The bank said the partnership aims to provide greater financial flexibility to clinics, pharmacies and medical buyers across the sector. Under the collaboration, CIMB and Pharmaniaga will offer enhanced payment flexibility to private clinics and independent pharmacies via the CIMB SME BusinessCard. CIMB said businesses can enjoy up to 50 days of extended credit and earn a 0.5% unlimited cash rebate on all Pharmaniaga purchases, helping improve cash flow and optimise working capital. CIMB Group co-chief executive officer of group commercial and transaction banking, Lawrence Loh, said the partnership with Pharmaniaga aims to provide practical and value-added financing support for healthcare SMEs. He said these businesses are essential to Malaysia's healthcare ecosystem, and equipping them with the right financial tools is vital to enhancing their resilience and ability to deliver quality care. 'By offering extended credit terms and early settlement incentives, we help clinics, pharmacies, and medical buyers better manage cash flow, reduce operational strain, while enhancing the quality of care they provide,' he said. Meanwhile, Pharmaniaga managing director Zulkifli Jafar said: 'We encourage more clinics, pharmacies and healthcare SMEs leverage on this facility to ease daily operational and financial challenges.' 'By offering greater payment flexibility and tailored financing options, we aim to empower our partners to grow sustainably while ensuring continuous access to a broad range of pharmaceutical products to serve their clients with confidence,' he added.
