Malaysia's life sciences industry encompasses three
major sectors, namely, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals
and medical devices.
Leading in Growth
Major medical device manufacturers from Europe, Asia
and North America have chosen Malaysia as a base for
growth.
 Over
40 medical device companies use Malaysia as a global
base for developing, manufacturing and marketing a
wide range of products and services - from single
use products, equipment and diagnostics to packaging
and sterilisation. Malaysia is currently the world’s
leading exporter of surgical gloves and catheters.Many
of these companies continue to expand their operations
within Malaysia by establishing product and process
development centres. For example, Ansell and Rusch
have expanded their R&D facilities within Malaysia.
A growing network of suppliers operating to world-class
standards support the country’s medical device
industry.
The Malaysian government is actively promoting the
medical device industry as a strategic industry. Opportunities
abound for investors to embark upon R & D and
the manufacture of cardiovascular, wound care, ophthalmic
and orthopedic products as well as transplant equipment.
Although the country's medical devices industry presently
concentrates on rubber-based products, more companies
are moving into the manufacture of products made from
plastics, silicone and metal alloys. There is also
tremendous scope for investors to move into the manufacture
and R&D of other medical devices such as cardiovascular,
wound care, orthopedic, transplant and ultrasound
imaging equipment as well as patient monitoring systems.
Serving Asia and World Markets
Malaysia is a gateway to Asia which has the fastest
growing economies and where 75% of the world’s
population resides. Asia’s healthcare market
constitutes approximately 34% of the global healthcare
market and this share is expected to increase to 45%
by 2005. A diverse range of medical equipment and
products are imported to cater to Asia’s growing
healthcare needs. Medical device companies in Malaysia
also have the advantage of the ASEAN market at their
doorstep. With the full realisation of the ASEAN Free
Trade Area (AFTA) in 2003, medical device manufacturers
will benefit from a single market with a total population
of 530 million people, a combined GDP of US$737 billion,
and a total trade of US$720 billion.
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