Owen Mumford partners with Duopharma Biotech to distribute medical devices

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 28 February 2024 – Owen Mumford Sdn Bhd, subsidiary of UK-based medical device manufacturer Owen Mumford, has announced a partnership with Duopharma Biotech Berhad subsidiary Duopharma Marketing Sdn Bhd to distribute its diabetes and eye care products in Malaysia and Brunei. Owen Mumford’s leading insulin pen needles, capillary blood sampling lancets, and eye drop dispensers will be issued to retail outlets, government, private healthcare and other patient care facilities to provide better access and support those living with diabetes in the region. The partnership was announced in a ceremony attended by VIPs including YBhg Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) and British High Commissioner to Malaysia, Ailsa Terry.

The number of people living with diabetes in Malaysia is growing each year and is expected to hit 7million in 2025[1]. As these numbers continue to rise, it is essential for those living with the disease to have access to safe and practical solutions to manage it effectively. Since it began operations in 1952, Owen Mumford has been committed to improving the wellbeing of those living with diabetes and has created some of the world’s first technology for diabetes management, including the first automatic lancing device for easier blood sampling, the first automatic insulin pen for more practical drug delivery, and many other innovative solutions that have helped improve the lives of the millions of people living with the disease across the world.

Owen Mumford’s partnership with Duopharma Biotech supports both company’s efforts to provide more options for the millions of people living with diabetes in Malaysia and support their treatment journeys with care based on their individual needs.

“Since Owen Mumford Malaysia began operations in 2015, we have focused on elevating healthcare through engagement with patients and healthcare professionals and tailoring medical devices to meet their needs, besides conducting ongoing education to ensure the correct usage of devices for optimal healthcare outcomes,” said Shirley Loh, Regional Managing Director at Owen Mumford Sdn Bhd. “We are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality products and have launched initiatives such as including pen needles in complimentary bespoke starter kits at local government hospitals and provided vouchers to support patients in the B40 demographic. With nearly RM100 million invested into our manufacturing facilities, operations and programmes in Malaysia since 2015, we aspire to continue serving as a source of advanced medical solutions in the country.”

“Duopharma Biotech is delighted to have this opportunity to partner with Owen Mumford, a global leader in medical device design and manufacturing. Their innovative product range is certainly a great fit for our current offerings to patients, healthcare providers and carers. As a Malaysian healthcare company with a vision of ‘Providing Smarter Solutions for a Healthier Life’, we believe that having greater access to quality medical devices can improve patient compliance to routine care procedures such as blood sugar testing and insulin injections among diabetics, thus leading to better healthcare outcomes in the longer term. This is especially important in light of the growing diabetes burden in Malaysia. Besides, this is also in line with our ESG focus on improving access to healthcare, whereby providing more options to patients means improving their ability to get the care that best suits their individual needs,” said Leonard Ariff Abdul Shatar, Group Managing Director, Duopharma Biotech Berhad.

Her Excellency Ailsa Terry CMG, British High Commissioner to Malaysia said, “The coming together of Duopharma Biotech’s pharmaceutical expertise and Owen Mumford’s acute understanding of medical devices will benefit and support millions of people living with diabetes. This partnership represents what can be achieved when the very best from the UK and Malaysia join forces to support something that is incredibly important – the health and wellbeing of its people.”

Datuk Wira Arham Abdul Rahman, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) congratulated both organisations on the signing of their agreement. “The alliance between Duopharma and Owen Mumford integrates two pivotal sectors of healthcare—pharmaceuticals and medical devices. This integration showcases our dedication to improving healthcare access through innovative technologies, embodying our commitment to the well-being of our population.” He further added, “The medical devices sector is prioritised in Mission 1 of the New Industrial Master Plan 2030, where the vision is to transform Malaysia into an innovation-driven manufacturing hub. It underscores the capacity building of medical devices and pharmaceutical industries, by leveraging innovation and high-skilled talent to drive a high complexity economic agenda.”

Launched in 2015, Owen Mumford Malaysia’s manufacturing facility is ISO 13485, GDPMD and FDA certified, and has created a hub to connect the UK-based manufacturer’s medical solutions to the Asia-Pacific region and engage with the local and national community. In nine years of operation, it has won several awards in recognition of its exceptional standards and commitment to excellence in Malaysia, including the BMCC’s 2022 Malaysia-UK Business of the Year and 2023 DEI award, HRD Corp’s 2023 HRD award, and HR’s 2023 Best Company to Work for in Asia and the Most Caring Company awards.