JOHOR BARU: Insulet Corporation, a global leader in diabetes management technology, has officially opened its new Omnipod 5 manufacturing facility in Johor, marking a major milestone for both the company and Malaysia's burgeoning medical device sector.

The state-of-the-art facility, spanning 400,000 square feet, represents a US$200 million (RM1 billion) investment.

State Investment, Trade, Consumer Affairs, and Human Resources committee chairman Lee Ting Han praised the project's completion ahead of schedule, attributing its success to the strong collaboration between Insulet's local team and various Malaysian and Singaporean agencies.

He credited the crucial roles played by the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the Iskandar Regional Development Authority (IRDA), Invest Johor, and Singapore's Economic Development Board (EDB) in expediting the project.

Invest Johor, as a one-stop centre, played a key role in positioning the state as an attractive investment destination, he said.

Lee said that the new facility was set to drive economic growth, create job opportunities, and strengthen Malaysia's position as a hub for medical device manufacturing.

"The facility will initially employ 350 highly skilled workers, with plans to expand the workforce to 1,000 in the coming years. This will significantly enrich the local talent pool, offering opportunities in skilled production, advanced engineering, and technical support roles," he said in his speech during the facility's official opening ceremony, today.

The Omnipod 5 insulin management system, which will be produced at the new facility, promises enhanced flexibility and improved diabetes management, benefiting patients worldwide.

"The opening of this facility not only extends Insulet's global operations but also stimulates growth in the local supply chain, creating opportunities for Malaysian suppliers and service providers.

"This aligns with Malaysia's broader economic goals of developing a robust and integrated local ecosystem in the medical device sector," he added.

The opening ceremony was attended by notable figures, including US Ambassador to Malaysia Edgard D. Kagan and Singapore Consul General Ng Kuan Khai.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/08/1091597/insulet-opens-rm1bil-johor-facility-boosting-malaysias-medtech-sector