Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Novo Nordisk Bangladesh today announced the start of local production of modern insulin cartridges (Penfill®) in Bangladesh through technology transfer from Denmark, enabled by a contract manufacturing partnership. The launch event—“সাবাশ বাংলাদেশ: Accelerating Access of Modern Insulin through Technology transfer from Denmark”—marks a milestone aimed at strengthening access to high quality diabetes treatment and supporting the development of Bangladesh’s bio pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities.
As a leader and pioneer insulin provider in Bangladesh, Novo Nordisk has been importing modern insulin including Novomix® and NovoRapid®, from global sites for the last two decades. Under the new arrangement, these modern insulin cartridges will be produced locally using the same Novo Nordisk technology to strengthen availability at a reduced cost for people living with diabetes.
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.
Honorable minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare 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.”
Major General Md. Shameem Haidar, Directorate General of Drug Administration, 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.”
H.E. Christian Brix Møller, Ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said, “Denmark and Bangladesh share a strong commitment to improving health and building skills and capabilities. 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.”
Dr. 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% price reduction on NovoMix® and NovoRapid®—while maintaining the same rigorous Novo Nordisk global quality standards.”
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.”
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.
Novo Nordisk has been present in Bangladesh since 1957, working with healthcare partners to improve diabetes care and expand access to life saving medicines. Since 2012, the company has been producing human insulin vials locally and exported from Bangladesh as part of its global manufacturing network. Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd., a leading Bangladesh-based pharmaceutical company owned by Transcom Group since 1990, manufactures high-quality medicines.
