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Duopharma Biotech Berhad is a Malaysia-based pharmaceutical company believing in creating equity in healthcare for all Malaysians. They undertake manufacturing, distribution, and the import and export of pharmaceutical products and medicines. They provide significant halal conformance and certification milestones in line with the Department of Islamic Development, Malaysia (JAKIM), the national halal authority and certification body.
Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah Binti Sh Bakir is the Non-Independent, Non-Executive Chairman of Duopharma Biotech Berhad. She is a 69-year-old Malaysian with over 45 years of experience in the pharmaceutical field. Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah has contributed extensively to Malaysia’s healthcare industry, serving in senior management positions at a leading healthcare service provider, and contributing her expertise through various government councils and committees.
“I have an excellent board and management team, and together, we have overcome quite a lot of challenges. I joined the company in 1974 and stayed until retirement in 2012. I am grateful to be the only lady in Malaysia able to achieve this milestone and reach such heights in my career” Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah says.
She first launched her career at Johor Corporation (JCorp) in 1974, joining its Healthcare Division in 1978. She was then appointed Chief Executive of Kumpulan Perubatan (Johor) Sdn Bhd (KPJSB) in 1989 and served as Managing Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad (“KPJ), overseeing its listing. She retired on 31 December 2012 but continued to serve KPJ in the capacity of a Corporate Advisor. She was also an Independent Non-Executive Director of KPJ Healthcare Berhad. Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah was the Chairman of KPJ Healthcare University College (“KPJUC”) in 2016. She was the ProChancellor of KPJUC till 2018 and was the Chancellor of KPJUC with effect from 1 January 2019.
Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah says she developed her leadership skills from her father and business leaders. When asked what leadership advice she would give to business leaders or beginners, Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah said that she believes leadership is a form of art and science which need to be developed over years in one’s own style. “I have my own principles of leadership” she says. She highlighted about having the 5Cs for leadership, CAPABILITY – be confident in what you want to do and have a quality that inspires others. COMMITMENT – develop strategic direction and have a high level of conviction in the face of challenges. CONTINUOUS LEARNING – the organization must have a learning culture. CREATIVITY – learn the art of juggling work. COORDINATION – people first.
She was appointed as the Non-Independent Non-Executive Chairman of Duopharma Biotech since 28 December 2017. Prior to that she was appointed as a Senior Independent Director on 5 April 2016 and before that, she was appointment as a Senior Independent Director in Duopharma Biotech. She served as an Independent Non-Executive Director in Chemical Company of Malaysia Berhad from 5 April 2016 until its demerger in December 2017.
Very much Committed to promoting excellence in healthcare, Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah was named CEO of the Year 2009 by the New Straits Times Press and American Express. This was followed by numerous other awards and accolades received locally and at Asian level in recognition of her contributions to the healthcare industry in Malaysia and worldwide. Her accomplishments have been recorded in a biography published in 2013, titled Siti Sa’diah: Driven by Vision, Mission, and Passion.
“I acknowledged the many male figures who have supported me” Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah fondly talks about the moment she received the CEO of the Year 2009 award.
Duopharma Biotech is constantly looking at integrating technologies not only into the manufacturing line but throughout the entire ecosystem. Tan Sri Datin Paduka Siti Sa’diah mentions that the company strongly believe that technology, regenerative medicine, digitalization, automation, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain, when used correctly, are key to bringing the company to the next level and that their recent investment in Naluri Hidup, a local digital wellness company that provides healthcare software solutions, marked the beginning of the companies foray into healthcare digitalization”
Recently, under collaboration with PanGen Biotech Inc. from South Korea, Duopharma Biotech has successfully developed an erythropoietin biosimilar product, commercialized under the brand name ERYSAA. This drug stimulates the production of red blood cells in anemic patients undergoing kidney dialysis.
Photo Credit: Duopharma Biotech Berhad
