Medical microscope

Medical Devices Manufacturing

By Freepik

Medical Devices Manufacturing

Country
Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Health Care
Sub Sector
Most major industry classification systems use sources of revenue as their basis for classifying companies into specific sectors, subsectors and industries. In order to group like companies based on their sustainability-related risks and opportunities, SASB created the Sustainable Industry Classification System® (SICS®) and the classification of sectors, subsectors and industries in the SDG Investor Platform is based on SICS.
Medical Technology
Indicative Return
Describes the rate of growth an investment is expected to generate within the IOA. The indicative return is identified for the IOA by establishing its Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Return of Investment (ROI) or Gross Profit Margin (GPM).
Net Margin's orthopedic devices are expected to be 10 per cent to 20 per cent (29).
Investment Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.
Medium Term (5–10 years)
Market Size
Describes the value of potential addressable market of the IOA. The market size is identified for the IOA by establishing the value in USD, identifying the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) or providing a numeric unit critical to the IOA.
> USD 1 billion
Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.
> USD 10 million
Direct Impact
Describes the primary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Good health and well-being (SDG 3) Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
Indirect Impact
Describes the secondary SDG(s) the IOA addresses.
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (SDG 9) Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) Gender Equality (SDG 5)

Business Model Description

Invest in medical device manufacturers in Malaysia that primarily operate on a B2B business model, supplying healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, distributors, resellers and research institutes. Some manufacturers may also adopt a B2G (or B2G2B) model, selling medical devices to the Ministry of Health. Examples of companies active in this space are:

Vigilenz Medical Devices Sdn Bhd's offerings includes infection control and wound management products. In 2020, Vigilenz was acquired by Bactiguard with a consideration consisting of a cash payment of USD 4.5 million payable at closing and 241,512 shares in Bactiguard equivalent to a value of USD 2 million (45).

B Braun is a global MNC that offers a wide range of medical products including infusion pumps, catheters, surgical instruments, anesthesia workstations, dialysis machines, and wound care dressings. At Group level, B Braun's sales increased by 8 per cent to USD 8.5 billion in 2022. B Braun has invested close to USD 1 billion in its Malaysian facilities since its establishment in 1972 (46, 47).

ResMed Malaysia Sdn Bhd manufactures a range of medical devices including masks, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP) machines, among other devices and accessories. ResMed generates an estimated USD 18.7 million in revenue (50).

Expected Impact

Enhance quality of healthcare services including decreased out of pocket expenses on healthcare, provide healthcare that is better suited for local needs and Malaysian's health behaviour, as well as decrease country's import dependence for medical devices

How is this information gathered?

Investment opportunities with potential to contribute to sustainable development are based on country-level SDG Investor Maps.

Disclaimer

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The descriptions on this page are provided for informational purposes only. Only companies and enterprises that appear under the case study tab have been validated and vetted through UNDP programmes such as the Growth Stage Impact Ventures (GSIV), Business Call to Action (BCtA), or through other UN agencies. Even then, under no circumstances should their appearance on this website be construed as an endorsement for any relationship or investment. UNDP assumes no liability for investment losses directly or indirectly resulting from recommendations made, implied, or inferred by its research. Likewise, UNDP assumes no claim to investment gains directly or indirectly resulting from trading profits, investment management, or advisory fees obtained by following investment recommendations made, implied, or inferred by its research.

Investment involves risk, and all investments should be made with the supervision of a professional investment manager or advisor. The materials on the website are not an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any investment, security, or commodity, nor shall any security be offered or sold to any person, in any jurisdiction in which such offer would be unlawful under the securities laws of such jurisdiction.

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Country & Regions

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Country
Region
  • Malaysia: Penang
  • Malaysia: Selangor
  • Malaysia: Johor
  • Malaysia: Kedah
Learn more

Sector Classification

Situate the investment opportunity within sustainability focused sector, subsector and industry classifications.
Sector

Health Care

Development need
The growth in the incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) is high and led to 74 per cent of deaths in 2021. In addition, the ageing population with related diseases are major challenges for the Malaysian healthcare system (1). Recognition and treatment of mental health issues is also a concern, which increased as a consequence of COVID-19 lockdowns (1).

Policy priority
Malaysia adopted a NCDs prevention and treatment program, as well as, in 2019, a comprehensive and inclusive national health protection scheme offering insurance coverage to the majority of the population (1, 3). Additionally, Malaysia is orienting its pharmaceuticals and medical devices industry towards producing higher-value products (4).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Disparities in life expectancy between Malaysia's states (Perlis has the lowest, Kuala Lumpur the highest) reflects to some extent the uneven vulnerability to health risks and access to advanced medical care. Women are over-represented in the informal sector and in the unpaid care services, face higher health risks (5, 12).

Investment opportunities introduction
A new National Biotechnology Policy 2.0 was adopted in Malaysia, which plans a 5 per cent GDP growth through the development of biotechnologies (6). Moreover, the halal market, including pharmaceuticals, is growing, with halal exports amounting to RM36.3 billion (USD 7.94 billion) in 2021 with the market expected to increase to USD 105 billion by 2024 (4, 7, 8).

Key bottlenecks introduction
The healthcare sector in Malaysia is reported to be facing manpower challenges (due to institutional issues), shortage of beds, equipment and medicine, and not enough isolation facilities (9, 16).

Sub Sector

Medical Technology

Development need
6.5 per cent of Malaysians did not have access to nearby health facilities or mobile services in 2019 (1). Greater access to quality healthcare services is crucial for preventing, monitoring and treating NCDs in Malaysia (1). Improved data collection and analysis are especially key for prevention (1). 95 per cent of medical device needs in Malaysia are catered through imports (2).

Policy priority
After Covid-19 outbreak, Malaysia invested in its health care infrastructure's modernization for increased resilience, including against future pandemics. Malaysia aspires to position itself as a leader in medical tourism by reaching more than 1 million medical tourists annually, via 4IR tools adoption, and by becoming a key medical device manufacturer in the ASEAN region (2, 4).

Gender inequalities and marginalization issues
Orang Asli are among the most deprived of access to healthcare facilities in Malaysia (1). Out-of-pocket expenses tripled from 2006 to 2020, with 43 per cent being spent for out-patient care and 3 per cent in medical appliances and non-durable goods (15), increasing the burden of healthcare, especially for poor households. Finally, women are composing the majority of care workers (97 per cent of nurses and 64 per cent of unpaid care work) (17, 18).

Investment opportunities introduction
The Government announced the allocation of RM 420 million (USD 92.4 million) for the refurbishment of hospitals and clinics and new equipment (priority given to the Sabah and Sarawak), and procurement for new facilities and equipment amounting to RM 350 million (USD 76.59 million) (49). Malaysia also aims at becoming a high-end medical tourism hub (4).

Key bottlenecks introduction
Investors need to resort to a local agent, representation or partner to engage with the public sector to invest in healthcare in Malaysia (2). Facilities managed by the Ministry requires upgrading (78 public hospitals are more than 30 years old). Public funds are not sufficient to fully cover the investments required in healthcare (48).

Industry

Medical Equipment and Supplies

Pipeline Opportunity

Discover the investment opportunity and its corresponding business model.
Investment Opportunity Area

Medical Devices Manufacturing

Business Model

Invest in medical device manufacturers in Malaysia that primarily operate on a B2B business model, supplying healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, distributors, resellers and research institutes. Some manufacturers may also adopt a B2G (or B2G2B) model, selling medical devices to the Ministry of Health. Examples of companies active in this space are:

Vigilenz Medical Devices Sdn Bhd's offerings includes infection control and wound management products. In 2020, Vigilenz was acquired by Bactiguard with a consideration consisting of a cash payment of USD 4.5 million payable at closing and 241,512 shares in Bactiguard equivalent to a value of USD 2 million (45).

B Braun is a global MNC that offers a wide range of medical products including infusion pumps, catheters, surgical instruments, anesthesia workstations, dialysis machines, and wound care dressings. At Group level, B Braun's sales increased by 8 per cent to USD 8.5 billion in 2022. B Braun has invested close to USD 1 billion in its Malaysian facilities since its establishment in 1972 (46, 47).

ResMed Malaysia Sdn Bhd manufactures a range of medical devices including masks, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machines and Variable Positive Airway Pressure (VPAP) machines, among other devices and accessories. ResMed generates an estimated USD 18.7 million in revenue (50).

Business Case

Learn about the investment opportunity’s business metrics and market risks.

Market Size and Environment

Market Size (USD)
Describes the value in USD of a potential addressable market of the IOA.

> USD 1 billion

CAGR
Describes the historical or expected annual growth of revenues in the IOA market.

5% - 10%

Critical IOA Unit
Describes a complementary market sizing measure exemplifying the opportunities with the IOA.

1 in 5 Malaysians were diabetic. Translating into 3.9 million people (12). 3 in 10 Malaysians or 6.4 million people had hypertension (12). 4 in 10 people or 8 million adults had raised total cholestoral levels (12).

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the country (12). The annual healthcare cost from NCDs stood at c USD 2 billion (13).

The Malaysian Domestic Medical Device market is valued at USD 2.8 billion as of 2022, with a CAGR of 8.3 per cent between 2021 to 2026. It is an established industry in the country, with the Association of Medical Medical Industries (AMMI) founded in 1989. 90 per cent of the medical devices produced in the country are exported (27).

Specifically, Malaysia is the world’s leading manufacturer and exporter of catheters and surgical and examination gloves, supplying 80 per cent of the world market for catheters and 60 per cent for rubber gloves (27).

Indicative Return

GPM
Describes an expected percentage of revenue (that is actual profit before adjusting for operating cost) from the IOA investment.

Net Margin's orthopedic devices are expected to be 10 per cent to 20 per cent (29).

Straits Orthopaedics (Mfg) Sdn Bhd’s net margins reported in 2020 stood around 10 per cent to 20 per cent (29). Straits Orthopaedics was founded in 2003 (14).

Meanwhile, UMediC Group Bhd, which listed on Bursa Malaysia in 2022 reported a mean gross profit margin of 34.89 per cent during its 2019 to 2022 financial years (10, 11).

Total industry revenue from the medical device industry is expected to be c.USD 3.27 billion (22).

Investment Timeframe

Timeframe
Describes the time period in which the IOA will pay-back the invested resources. The estimate is based on asset expected lifetime as the IOA will start generating accumulated positive cash-flows.

Medium Term (5–10 years)

Expert consultations suggest that setting up a medical device manufacturing facility is potentially capital intensive, with a lengthy regulatory process with the Medical Device Authority (MDA). As such a holding period of at least 5 to 10 years is required (24).

Ticket Size

Average Ticket Size (USD)
Describes the USD amount for a typical investment required in the IOA.

> USD 10 million

Market Risks & Scale Obstacles

Market - Highly Regulated

Medical Devices Manufacturing is a highly regulated activity under the Malaysian Medical Device Authority (MDA) under the Medical Device Act (23).

Market - High Level of Competition

According to the Association of Medical Device Manufacturers, as of 2022, it has 84 members, of which 25 are SMEs (26).

Market - High Level of Competition

Medical device manufacturing has a significant amount of players in the market, with high foreign player participation.

Impact Case

Read about impact metrics and social and environmental risks of the investment opportunity.

Sustainable Development Need

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) being the primary cause of death (74 per cent of total deaths in 2021) and the ageing population substantially increasing, population in Malaysia need affordable access to specific medical devices and equipment to address their health challenges (2, 1).

The domestic medical device production in Malaysia is largely export-oriented with 50 per cent shipped to the US, Germany, Japan, and China even though Malaysia's needs are significant with 95 per cent of its medical devices requirements met through imports (2).

In Malaysia, there is demand for affordable and quality healthcare services. The investments (representing 5 per cent of GDP for both public and private investments in health, in 2021), especially in state-of-the art medical equipment and devices fall short to respond to the need (2).

Gender & Marginalisation

In Malaysia, women in average spend more years of their life in poor health than men (15.6 per cent of their life years, compared to 13.7 per cent for men) (5). NCDs, obesity and advanced age are all factors that put Malaysian women at greater health risk during pregnancy (2).

Informal foreign workers in Malaysia tend to have poorer health due to improper working conditions, and low access to healthcare services compared to Malaysian citizens, due to prohibitive costs, with a daily ward charge of RM 3 (UDS 0.6) for nationals and RM 160 (USD 35) for non-citizens (5).

People living in rural areas encounter more challenges in accessing medical devices and quality healthcare due to low levels of awareness, longer travel distances, limited state-of-the-art devices use, among others. They face higher risk of having undiagnosed NCDs, especially in East Malaysia (32).

Expected Development Outcome

Domestic production of high value-added and technologically advanced medical devices contributes to responding to NCD needs, for enhanced prevention, diagnosis, treatment of illness and disease, and rehabilitative care. (2, 30, 31).

Medical devices manufacturing increases healthcare system's resilience by decreasing dependency on external supply and increasing provision of affordable and adapted devices to the national context (31).

Increased domestic supply of medical devices improve healthcare quality and reduce economic loss caused by preventable diseases, including NCDs (2, 30). It also contributes to reduce households' out-of-pocket health expenses, especially related to NCDs, as some regional examples show (42).

Gender & Marginalisation

Enhanced adoption of advanced medical devices by hospitals and clinics contributes to the prevention of avoidable maternal death via providing better pre-pregnancy care and timely and appropriate medical treatment (2).

Providing that awareness is raised on the healthcare system and medical devices, the manufacturing of the latter enhances affordable and appropriate care to be offered to vulnerable groups in Malaysia, including informal foreign workers who have low access to healthcare (39, 5).

Increased access to medical devices will improve the access to quality care for people in rural areas and will enable better diagnosis and treatment of their NCDs (39, 33).

Primary SDGs addressed

Good health and well-being (SDG 3)
3 - Good Health and Well-Being

3.4.1 Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory disease

3.8.2 Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income

3.1.1 Maternal mortality ratio

Current Value

18.4 per cent mortality rate for 30-70 years old, in 2019 (with 14.9 per cent for females and 21.8 per cent for males) (34). The probability of premature death between the age of 30 and 70 caused by NCDs was 11.3 per cent in 2019 (1).

In 2019, 0.13 per cent of households recorded an expenditure over 25 per cent and 1.52 per cent recorded an expenditure over 10 per cent of their income towards healthcare (34).

21.1/100,000 live birth in 2019 (1).

Target Value

Reduce premature mortality from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes or chronic respiratory diseases to 15 per cent by 2025. Reduce prevalence of blood pressure to 26 per cent by 2025 (36).

Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)
8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth

8.1.1 Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita

Current Value

Contraction of (-) 6.8 per cent in 2020 (34).

Target Value

Target to reach a GDP growth per annum of 4.5-5.5 per cent by 2025 (4).

Secondary SDGs addressed

9 - Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 - Reduced Inequalities
5 - Gender Equality

Directly impacted stakeholders

People

The general population and patients (with NCDs, elderly persons with age-related diseases), healthcare personnel benefit from better quality of care. Medical devices' producers, healthcare-related industries' employees and researchers benefit from increased and more efficient activities.

Gender inequality and/or marginalization

Women and informal foreign workers, as well as patients living in rural areas will benefit from increased access to healthcare monitoring/diagnostic services through improved access to medical devices.

Corporates

Producers and suppliers of medical devices, R&D companies increase their economic activities, and companies owning and managing private hospitals and clinics have a more seamless access to medical devices.

Public sector

Public hospitals and clinics, public schools of medicine, the Ministry of Health benefit from increased access to quality devices and up to date training, resulting in better quality of healthcare, and a healthier population.

Indirectly impacted stakeholders

Corporates

E&E companies producing medical tech parts, other companies supporting the healthcare sector increase their operations, and software companies providing medical software benefit form an increase in the demand.

Public sector

The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development benefit form better women health outcomes, and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of an increase in innovation and activities in the sector.

Outcome Risks

Unless circular manufacturing practices are adopted, the environmental harm might outcome social positive impact (healthcare sector contribute to 3-8 per cent of emissions globally) (43).

Without a conductive environment for innovation, including for life cycle and use analysis of medical devices, circular practices might not be adopted, impacting the affordability of devices (44).

Without adoption of sustainable practices throughout the entire value chain, including packaging, emissions of the sector (to which medical devices significantly contribute) will not decrease (44).

Solutions for the medical waste should also be developed to limit the increase in hazardous waste caused by the enhanced medical devices production.

Considering the maternal mortality rate and prevalence of certain NCDs among women, unless women are prioritized in accessing medical devices, disparity may not decrease.

Impact Risks

Stakeholder participation risk, if manufactured medical devices do not correctly take into account patients' needs in Malaysia.

Alignment risk might limit impact creation if the medical device manufacturer's enterprise model does not aim for improving the healthcare sector in Malaysia.

Increasing complexity of medical devices, speed of innovation, local business environment and international medical device regulations are external risks which might limit impact creation both on people and the planet.

Without more visibility on medical waste management, increased investments in medical devices manufacturing might increase in unexpected environmental damages.

Impact Classification

C—Contribute to Solutions

What

Improvement in manufacturing of affordable and accessible medical devices responding to healthcare needs, also leading to a decrease in the country's dependency on imports, with improvements in the quality of domestic healthcare provision.

Risk

Not taking into account patients' needs in Malaysia while manufacturing the medical devices, enterprise model not aiming for improving the local sector, and external risks including device complexity, speed of innovation, local business environment.

Contribution

NCDs were responsible for 74 per cent of deaths in 2021, in Malaysia (1). Local production of medical devices contributes to mitigate this high mortality rate.

Impact Thesis

Enhance quality of healthcare services including decreased out of pocket expenses on healthcare, provide healthcare that is better suited for local needs and Malaysian's health behaviour, as well as decrease country's import dependence for medical devices

Enabling Environment

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Policy Environment

Industry FWRD Policy on Industry 4.0 2019: The Industry4 FRD Policy aims to digitally transform the manufacturing sector, including medical devices manufacturing, by integrating advanced technologies and digitalization (28).

National Biotechnology Policy: the policy was first published in 2005 and was updated in 2022. It aims to transform Malaysia into a global biotechnology hub by recognising the importance of medical devices manufacturing in the broader biotechnology landscape (6, 41, 42).

Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) (2021-2025): Building on the progress made under the 11MP, it outlines strategies for strengthening the healthcare ecosystem, promoting innovation, and increasing the adoption of advanced technologies in the medical devices manufacturing sector (6).

Industry4WRD Policy on Industry 4.0: The policy intends to support companies' digital transformation in manufacturing sector, including medical manufacturing, through incentives and support for infrastructure, human capital and technology development (52).

Malaysia Madani: The Malaysia Madani plan has six main principles of which Innovation is the most applicable to this IOA. Commitments such as MSME resilience and enhancing digitalization adoption are part this framework (51)

Financial Environment

Financial incentives: Investment Tax Allowance (ITA) - 60 per cent of qualifying capital expenditure incurred within 5 years provided to medical device manufacturing companies. It can be offset against 70 per cent of statutory income for each assessment year and unutilized amount can be carried forward (40)

Fiscal incentives: Pioneer Status (MIDA) grants a 70 per cent tax exemption on statutory income for a period of 5 years. (49) High-tech medical device manufacturers are eligible to be considered for full income tax exemption for their statutory income for five years (44)

Regulatory Environment

Medical Device Authority Act 2012 (Act 738): created the Authority to control, regulate medical devices, its industry and activities (37).

Medical Device Act 2012 (Act 737): regulates medical devices and the industry, including the registration and license of manufacturers (38).

Accreditation ISO 13485: Medical device manufacturers need to acquire the ISO 13485 Quality Management System (QMS) for Medical Devices ensuring they meet regulatory requirements. It requires that an organization’s quality management system pass a third party Medical Device Single Audit Program.

Marketplace Participants

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Private Sector

Vigilenz Medical Devices Sdn Bhd; B Braun; ResMed; Inari Amerton Berhad; Straits Orthopaedics; Pentamaster Corporation Berhad; Flextronics Technology; Avillion Berhad.

Government

Ministry of Health (MOH); Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI); Malaysia Investment Development Authority (MIDA); Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE); Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF)

Multilaterals

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); World Health Organization (WHO); International Finance Corporation (IFC); Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Non-Profit

Malaysian Medical Device Association (MMDA); Association of Malaysian Medical Industries (AMMI); Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC).

Public-Private Partnership

Malaysia Bioeconomy Development Corporation (Bioeconomy Corp); Malaysia Venture Capital Management Berhad (MAVCAP); Malaysia Technology Development Corporation (MTDC).

Target Locations

See what country regions are most suitable for the investment opportunity. All references to Kosovo shall be understood to be in the context of the Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999)
country static map
urban

Malaysia: Penang

Penang is the nation's main medical devices manufacturing hub, with clusters including Bayan Lepas Free Zone, Bukit Minyak Park, Penang Science Park, Prai Industrial Estate and Batu Kawan Industrial Park. Penang has established supply-chains, a skilled workforce and proximity to major markets.
urban

Malaysia: Selangor

Selangor has prominent medical devices manufacturing clusters including Selangor Bio Bay, iPark@Indahpura and Klang Valley, Port Klang Free Zone. Selangor has established supply-chains, a skilled workforce and proximity to major markets.
urban

Malaysia: Johor

Johor has notable medical devices manufacturing clusters including iPark@Senai Airport City, Tanjung Langsat Industrial Complex, Southern Industrial and Logistics Clusters and Medini Iskandar. Johor has established supply-chains, a skilled workforce and proximity to major markets.
rural

Malaysia: Kedah

Kedah is known for its manufacturing hub, Kulim Hi Tech Park, which has a zone dedicated to medical devices manufacturing. Kulim Hi Tech is well connected via established supply-chains, has a skilled and expanding workforce, and is in close proximity to domestic markets.

References

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