Singapore: As per reports, one of the top Asian biopharmaceutical company Biocon is all set to begin operations in Malaysia next year. Spread across sprawling 40 acres in Nusajaya, Johor, the integrated insulin plant has been built with an investment of $160mn. This marks one of the largest investments in Malaysia's biomedical sector.

The setting up of the facility will create a number of job opportunities for Malaysians, especially young graduates from related disciplines. Malaysia Biotechnology Corp (Biotech Corp) biomedical section senior vice-president Mr Jay Padasian said it had taken about two years to convince the company to set up its integrated insulin plant in Malaysia, as reported by a leading Malaysian daily.

Mr Padasian said Biotech Corp was courting foreign businesses to invest in Malaysia's biotechnology industry in various ways to build Malaysia as a hub for biotechnology. "It is about having a large player because you have to get a critical mass of people trained in the area," he pointed out.