Eskayef and Novo Nordisk launch local production of modern insulin cartridges

FE REPORT
Eskayef Pharmaceuticals and Novo Nordisk Bangladesh on Tuesday announced the start of local production of modern insulin cartridges in Bangladesh through technology transfer from Denmark under a contract manufacturing partnership.
The announcement came at a launch event titled "Accelerating access of modern insulin through technology transfer from Denmark", held at a city hotel.
The partnership aims to strengthen access to high quality diabetes treatment and support the development of Bangladesh's bio-pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities, according to officials.
For the first time in Bangladesh, premix and rapid-acting modern insulin cartridges will be produced locally using technology and manufacturing processes aligned with international standards.
Each batch produced in Bangladesh will have quality reports verified in Denmark to ensure adherence to Novo Nordisk global quality requirements.
Speaking as the chief guest at the event, Health Minister Sardar Sakhawat Hossain said, "This milestone reflects our progress in strengthening advanced biopharmaceutical capability and ensuring uninterrupted public access to life-saving medicines, high quality insulin and contributes to health-sector self-reliance."
He said non-communicable diseases can be treated with medication, but warned that infectious diseases remain dangerous, citing the recent measles outbreak in the country. There had been a vaccine shortage, though supplies were later secured to address the measles infection, he added.
Noting that building immunity takes time, the minister urged people to adopt protective and preventive measures, warning that dengue could pose a threat in the coming months.
Hospitals, doctors and the government alone cannot protect people from diseases like dengue without greater public awareness and caution, he added.
Directorate General of Drug Administration Maj Gen Md. Shameem Haidar said, "This landmark collaboration reinforces a fundamental commitment: essential medicines must meet clear requirements for quality, safety, and efficacy-especially for complex biologic products such as insulin. We welcome efforts that meet required standards and support public health priorities."
Simeen Rahman, Group CEO of Transcom Limited, said, "Today marks a proud milestone as we launch Novo Nordisk's first modern Penfill insulin cartridges produced here in Bangladesh by Eskayef Pharmaceuticals through advanced technology transfer from Denmark."
This achievement demonstrates Bangladesh's readiness to embrace advanced technology transfer and reinforces our position as a credible hub for high-value biopharmaceutical manufacturing, she added.
Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller said, "Novo Nordisk's technology transfer and local production partnership with Eskayef is a practical example of how Danish innovation can support access to quality diabetes treatment, while strengthening local bio-manufacturing capacity."
Riad Mamun Prodhani, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk Bangladesh, said, "Through this partnership on local production, we are taking a meaningful step to expand access to modern insulin in Bangladesh. On this occasion, we are also implementing an 18 per cent price reduction on NovoMix and NovoRapid-while maintaining the same rigorous Novo Nordisk global quality standards."
Bangladesh has nearly 13 million people living with diabetes and is projected to reach about 22 million by 2045 -- underscoring the need for reliable, high quality treatment options.
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