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@ Halal | September-october . 2020

Duopharma Biotech , which used to be under CCM Berhad , comes directly under PNB . However , Duopharma Biotech has been using the same name , CCM Duopharma Berhad , until we went for a rebranding exercise last year . We became Duopharma Biotech Berhad . That was when we changed all our vision , mission , and the tagline to be closer to the consumers .

I have long sat in KPJ since it was listed in 1994 . While in KPJ , I was invited to be in Bursa Malaysia . I was a director of Bursa Malaysia for nine years until they had a regulation that a director has to leave at the end of nine years .

So , I was the first one to go . I was among the first few directors who came in . That was my experience in a public listed company . It was fascinating . I was both in the commercial and regulatory part of Bursa Malaysia . I joined Bursa Malaysia in 2004 .

After I exited from KPJ ’ s executive team as managing director , I was invited to work with many companies . One of them was Duopharma Biotech . At the time being , I was with two public listed companies – OSK Holdings Berhad as an Independent Director and with Lotte Chemical Titan as an Independent Non-Executive Director . I am in three public listed companies and I do some other non-listed tasks with NGOs as well as charity . So , that keeps me quite full .

With your tight schedule , what do you do during your free time ? I love reading biographies . I ’ ve read Margaret Pitcher , Indira Gandhi , Hillary Clinton , Nelson Mandela , and Barack Obama . I ’ m also into management books because when I lecture , I have to refer again to these books .

When I deliver my lectures , I always combine experience with theory of management to the students . I ’ m involved in a university , and I need to provide knowledge . I also contribute to some magazines . I contribute quite regularly to the healthcare magazine InfoMed .

I do give talks too . I was the Chairman of Universiti Utara Malaysia ( UUM ) for over three years . I didn ’ t complete my term . I was involved in both education and the healthcare industry . I am also the Pro-Chancellor of UTM . I am also a Chancellor of KPJ Healthcare University College . So , I give talks to KPJ University College-trained nurses , doctors , physiotherapists and only focusing on healthcare . That is my involvement .

Besides that , I also go to the gym . I have one picture of me at the gym after doing the 100 workouts . I did it . I thought I could never do it . So , they gave me a T-shirt that says 100 workouts . I work out daily in the morning , and at times I will have a short training myself .

I also make time for my family . I got three children and nine grandchildren . I call myself as the “ touch and go ” grandma where I pamper them , love them and spoil them but you don ’ t discipline them . I ’ ll leave that to the parents . So , when they come to me , I ’ ll share my full love with them .

The rebranding exercise by Duopharma Biotech Berhad was undertaken following the demerger from its parent Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad on Dec 28 , 2017 .

Since its revamp , it has brought about a number of business innovations and models into the field of halal pharmaceuticals .

Duopharma Biotech has a few remarkable achievements ; one of which the Launch of Erysaa in partnership with Korean PanGen Biotech . The other is the commercialisation of the first Highly-Potent Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (“ HAPI ”) plant which was completed in 2018 ..

There is also its Stem Cell Project with SCM Lifescience , another Korean partner , which has since been listed on the Korean Stock Exchange ( KOSDAQ ).

Duopharma Biotech ’ s outstanding business developments evenly matches its primary objective – that is to continue creating growth for shareholders whilst providing innovative products to patients . And to ensure all its projects were targetted to provide this growth , the company reviewed its corporate strategy to make it relevant to the current time .

As Duopharma Biotech Chairman Tan Sri Siti Sa ’ diah Sh . Bakir said : “ Even though it ( rebranding ) has been more than one year , I am still excited with our new Vision , Mission and Tagline which is a reflection of our strategic direction into higher-value therapeutics that are more effective and efficient providing enhanced patient outcomes .

“ I ’ m also very proud of our bright red logo which denotes confidence , passion and strength in achieving our ambition while the lettering points to the right , indicating our forwardlooking strategy and focus on the future .”

Being Malaysia ’ s largest pharmaceuticals manufacturer and the pioneer for halal-certified pharmaceutical products , Duopharma Biotech plays a significant role in contributing to the nation ’ s growth through its products and services offered .

As such , ‘ halal ’ remains the firm base of the company ’ s strategic pillars .

“ We believe the ‘ halal ’ value will spread across Southeast Asia , as it is about taking a step further beyond Good Manufacturing Practice to provide safe , effective , quality and hygienic products .

A balanced product portfolio

Undoubtedly , one of the critical success factors of Duopharma Biotech ’ s years of the journey is the passion , commitment and dedication demonstrated by all employees , which is underpinned by its strong values and integrity .

“ Good governance and integrity are always placed at a high priority for us in Duopharma Biotech to ensure our business sustains .

“ In 2019 , as a recognition , Duopharma Biotech was awarded the four Petals Gold Ethics Award by the Business Ethics Institute of Malaysia , which is indeed testament to the ethics and integrity initiatives taken by the Board and Management ,” said Siti Sa ’ diah .

Furthermore , the company is also optimistic of obtaining the ISO 37001 Anti-Bribery Management System standards certification in 2020 to further stamp its commitment to integrity and anti-corruption measures .

As of now , the company is working towards a balanced portfolio in its products – focussing on speciality areas such as diabetes , oncology , cardiovascular , renal and consumer healthcare .

It is also building on its research and development so that it can provide more accessible and affordable treatment options to its customers .

“ We are exporting to 27 countries globally . We entered new markets including Ghana , South Africa and Oman in 2019 ,” said Siti Sa ’ diah .

“ Our exports to Southeast Asia grew 23 per cent yearon-year , and this was partly due to our success in securing contracts to supply various prescription drugs to the Singapore Ministry of Health and Brunei Ministry of Health .”

But as the regulatory environment in the international market is becoming more stringent , the company faces a few challenges in the registration process . For this , it has embarked on an initiative to upgrade the quality of its products .