Bangladesh has taken a major step toward affordable diabetes care, as Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. has begun local production of modern insulin cartridges known as Penfill in partnership with Danish pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk. The move is expected to make insulin more accessible and significantly cheaper for the country’s roughly 1.5 crore diabetic patients.

For over two decades, Novo Nordisk the world’s largest producer of insulin has been supplying Bangladesh with NovoMix and NovoRapid through shipments from its global manufacturing sites. The company currently meets roughly 40 percent of Bangladesh’s insulin demand. This new technology transfer arrangement with Eskayef marks a decisive shift away from import dependency.

Under the partnership, Eskayef will now produce these products domestically using Novo Nordisk’s technology and manufacturing processes, all aligned with international standards. To maintain quality assurance, every batch produced in Bangladesh will be verified in Denmark against Novo Nordisk’s global requirements.

Penfill cartridges are small pre-filled insulin containers used with injection pens, enabling patients to take more precise and convenient doses compared to traditional vial-and-syringe methods a meaningful upgrade in the everyday diabetes management experience.

Riad Mamun Prodhani, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk Bangladesh, confirmed that products manufactured locally under this initiative will be 18% cheaper than those currently imported a direct financial relief for millions of Bangladeshi patients who depend on these medicines daily.

Simeen Rahman, Group CEO of Transcom Limited the parent company of Eskayef called the development a proud milestone, noting that it is the result of years of commitment, precision, and collaboration. Eskayef has invested over $30 million (approximately Tk 370 crore) in this project.

She emphasized that local production guarantees a reliable and uninterrupted supply of lifesaving insulin, while also signaling something larger: Bangladesh’s readiness to embrace advanced technology transfer and its potential as a critical hub for high-value biopharmaceutical manufacturing. “This is a celebration of our capability, a partnership and a future,” she said.

The initiative drew strong support from both government and diplomatic stakeholders. Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain attended the launch event and called it a new beginning for the country.

Maj. Gen. Shameem Haidar, Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration, noted that the collaboration reinforces a fundamental commitment that essential medicines, particularly complex biologics like insulin, must meet the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficacy.

Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, highlighted the bilateral dimension of the partnership, stating that Novo Nordisk’s technology transfer to Eskayef is a practical example of how Danish innovation can expand access to quality diabetes treatment while building local biomanufacturing capability.

This landmark deal reflects Bangladesh’s growing capacity to absorb world-class pharmaceutical technology and meet global manufacturing standards. With a large and growing diabetic population, strong regulatory backing, and significant private sector investment, Bangladesh’s pharmaceutical sector is emerging as a compelling destination for high-value life sciences investment.

Source: The Daily Star