Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and Novo Nordisk on Tuesday announced the start of local production of modern insulin cartridges in Bangladesh through a technology transfer partnership from Denmark.
The announcement was made at a launch event titled “Sabash Bangladesh: Accelerating Access of Modern Insulin through Technology Transfer from Denmark.”
Under the agreement, modern insulin cartridges, including Penfill®, will be produced locally by Eskayef using Novo Nordisk technology, aiming to improve availability and reduce costs for people living with diabetes.
Officials said the initiative marks the first time premix and rapid-acting modern insulin cartridges will be manufactured in Bangladesh using processes aligned with international standards. Each batch produced locally will be verified in Denmark to ensure compliance with Novo Nordisk’s global quality requirements.
Health officials and stakeholders welcomed the move, saying it would strengthen Bangladesh’s capacity in advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing and improve access to life-saving medicines.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Shakhawat Hossain Bokul said the initiative reflects progress in ensuring uninterrupted access to high-quality insulin and advancing self-reliance in the health sector.
Directorate General of Drug Administration official Major General Md Shameem Haidar said the collaboration reinforces the importance of maintaining strict standards of quality, safety and efficacy, particularly for complex biologic medicines such as insulin.
Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Møller said the partnership highlights how Danish innovation can support healthcare access while strengthening local manufacturing capabilities.
Dr Riad Mamun Prodhani, Managing Director of Novo Nordisk Bangladesh, said the company would implement an 18 percent price reduction on NovoMix® and NovoRapid® alongside the local production initiative.
Simeen Rahman, Group CEO of Transcom Limited, said the milestone demonstrates Bangladesh’s readiness to adopt advanced technology transfer and positions the country as a potential hub for high-value biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
Bangladesh currently has nearly 13 million people living with diabetes, a figure projected to rise to around 22 million by 2045, underscoring the growing demand for reliable and affordable treatment options.
Novo Nordisk has been operating in Bangladesh since 1957 and has been producing human insulin locally since 2012 as part of its global supply network. Eskayef Pharmaceuticals Ltd., owned by Transcom Group, is one of the country’s leading pharmaceutical manufacturers.
