Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin said the plant would reduce the dependence on imported biopharmaceuticals, freeing the country from exploitation by major global players.
"The state-of-the-art plant will be able to produce insulin, as well as vaccines for 13 types of diseases, and will help secure the future of country's medicine supplies.
"More importantly, the launch of this facility aligns with Armed Forces Fund Board's (LTAT) commitment under the MADANI Economy framework," he told a press conference after launching the plant here today.
As a major shareholder of Pharmaniaga through Boustead Holdings Berhad, he said LTAT is committed to elevate Malaysia's pharmaceutical value creation by strengthening its capacity to produce local biopharmaceutical products.