Novo Nordisk, a global pharmaceutical company with more than a century of experience, is expanding its focus beyond diabetes care to tackle a broader range of chronic illnesses, including cardiovascular, liver, and Alzheimer’s diseases.
The company’s presence in Malaysia began in 1992 and has since grown significantly. Today, it employs over 160 people in a newly renovated office in Kuala Lumpur. Jay Thyagarajan, senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region, says this expansion reflects Novo Nordisk’s commitment to supporting Malaysia in managing chronic health conditions.
“In Malaysia, one in five people has diabetes, and one in two is overweight or obese. These figures are a major concern for healthcare, the economy, and society,” Jay said. “The opening of our new office is a sign that we are here for the long term and ready to support the country’s efforts to reduce this burden.”
Across the Asia-Pacific region, there are over 160 million people with diabetes and more than 150 million living with obesity. In Malaysia alone, 60% of all deaths are linked directly or indirectly to chronic diseases. The country spends almost 4.5% of its GDP managing these illnesses, adding pressure to the healthcare system.
Jay emphasized the need for strong partnerships to address these challenges. “We are working closely with the Ministry of Health (MoH) and other stakeholders to raise awareness and support preventive health strategies. Prevention is much more cost-effective than treatment,” he said.
One example is the Jom Mama project, a pre-pregnancy program designed to lower diabetes risk in young adults. It uses a mix of behavioral coaching and digital tools to help couples improve their health before starting a family.
Novo Nordisk is also running the Changing Diabetes in Children (CDiC) programme in Malaysia, which aims to provide proper diagnosis, education, and treatment for children with type 1 diabetes. Launched with support from MEMS, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Higher Education, and global partners, the programme hopes to treat 3,000 children and young adults by 2028.
Beyond healthcare, the company has joined hands with MoH and the Embassy of Denmark to promote sustainable urban living. Initiatives include promoting energy efficiency, environmental protection, and responsible medicine disposal under the MyMediSafe programme.
Research and Development Drives Innovation
Novo Nordisk invests over 25% of its revenue in research and development (R&D) globally. Malaysia is one of 25 clinical development hubs worldwide and supports clinical trials in Singapore and Thailand. From 2019 to 2023, the company completed 24 clinical trials in Malaysia, involving 860 patients and investing RM39.4 million in local R&D.
“Malaysia plays a central role in our regional clinical research network,” said Jay. “We are focused not just on diabetes and obesity, but also on developing treatments for heart disease, liver disease, and Alzheimer’s. These are urgent health issues, and we aim to bring effective, accessible medicines to patients quickly.”
Digital Tools for Global Health Challenges
The global burden of diabetes affects 580 million people today, a number expected to reach 785 million in the coming years. Meanwhile, more than one billion people are obese or overweight — a figure that could double in the next decade.
Jay warns that healthcare systems, especially in ageing countries like Malaysia, will be under immense strain. To help meet this demand, Novo Nordisk is turning to digital tools to reach more people. These tools help connect patients with doctors, raise awareness, and provide accessible education on chronic diseases.
“Our goal is to unite the public and private sectors to tackle these issues with a shared purpose,” Jay said. “Digital health will be key to that effort.”
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