The world’s biggest insulin maker Novo Nordisk yesterday signed a major deal with Eskayef to extend its manufacturing base to Bangladesh as the third destination in Asia after China and India.

Eskayef Bangladesh Ltd, a leading pharmaceutical company and exporter, will set up an exclusive formulation, filling, inspection and packaging facility near Dhaka for the Novo Nordisk insulin.

The local company will make insulin from bulk drug (insulin crystals) supplied by Novo Nordisk, a world leader in diabetes care based in Denmark, said officials.

The agreement was signed by two top officials of both companies at a ceremony at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel, also attended by other dignitaries.

Speaking at the function, Dr Alauddin Ahmed, adviser (education, social development and political affairs) to the prime minister, said the deal was a landmark event for the pharmaceuticals sector.

"It's a very fortunate thing that such a tech-

nologically advanced company would have a manufacturing base here," he said.

Jan Moller Hansen, deputy head of mission, Danish Embassy in Bangladesh, said: "I hope Novo through its vast experience of more than 85 years of providing high-quality insulin will continue to be an important factor in fighting diabetes in Bangladesh."

A symposium titled "Diabetes: A Growing Challenge for the Developing Countries" was also held at the ceremony.

Chairman of Eskayef Bangladesh Latifur Rahman said insulin is a sensitive product that requires careful handling.

Rahman also said he was happy over the partnership with the global leader in diabetes care.

The current size of Bangladesh's insulin market is more than Tk 120 crore, according to officials of Novo Nordisk.

In a keynote speech, Prof Ashok Kumar Das, director and medical superintendent of Jawaharlal Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research in India, said diseases such as diabetes are increasing rapidly. Around the world, one person dies from diabetes every

10 seconds while another two develop the disease by the same time, he said.

AM Faruque, managing director of Eskayef Bangladesh, and Melvin Oscar D'souza, head of the Regional Office India of Novo Nordisk, signed yesterday's agreement.

"We are going to set up a plant in Bangladesh by SKF and by this we will reduce diabetes here, " said Sanjeev Shishoo. vice president of the Regional Office Far East of Novo Nordisk.

Prof AK Azad Khan, president of Bangladesh Endocrine Society and Diabetic Association of Bangladesh, Dr Hajera Mahtab, professor emeritus of Bangladesh Institute of Health Sciences, also spoke.

Novo Nordisk employs more than 25,800 people in 79 countries and markets its products in 179 countries.

Eskayef makes and markets a range of therapeutic drugs, bulk pellets and animal health and nutrition products. It has recently received accreditation from UK MHRA, which assures European-standard medicines from its manufacturingplant.

kawsar@thedailystar. net