B. Braun, one of the largest medical technology companies in the world, headquartered in Germany, announced the expansion of its portfolio of testing capabilities for healthcare solutions related to intravenous access, surgical technologies, intravenous systems, central venous puncture and pain control; in Penang.

Prior to the expansion, the Global Test Centre based in Penang had only supported 200,000 scientific measurements per annum for medical devices related to intravenous access and drug delivery systems. Due to the proven competencies, strong product knowledge and efficiency displayed by the local team of Malaysian engineers, the volume of product testing has been tripled to more than 600,000 scientific measurements per annum. Furthermore, medical devices for infusion systems, central venous puncture and pain control, which are being manufactured in Germany, have also been added to the portfolio being tested in Penang.

The Global Test Centre conducts design validation, discovery and shelf life testing, as well as failure analysis; and features state-of-the art test equipment and a fully integrated data management system, which is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of medical devices, used in the treatment of patients around the world. All products are tested to ensure adherence to the stringent requirements of the European Medical Device Regulation (EU MDR), United States Food & Drug Administration (US FDA) and other recognised regulatory authorities.

Dato’ Azman Mahmud, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), said “The Malaysian medical device industry has indeed showed great promise in creating high quality employment, reinforcing the domestic supply chain ecosystem, and generating greater export value. We have a strong presence of established supporting industries conforming to world-class standards that support the medical devices industry in the country. The nation's legacy expertise in precision electronics has also provided our workforce the requisite skills in quality management and precision. We trust that these qualities draw world leaders in healthcare including B. Braun to continuously embrace the abundant business opportunities in Malaysia today.”

Mr. Lam Chee Hong, President of B. Braun Asia Pacific said, “For more than 180 years, B. Braun has protected and improved the health of people around the world, and we have built a strong reputation and trust among healthcare professionals for the safety and quality of our products and services. Staffed by a proven team of highly competent Malaysians, the Global Test Centre in Penang will further ensure that patients everywhere will continue to receive medical devices of the highest global standards.”

Occupying a 193,285 square metre (47.8 acres) site in Penang’s Free Industrial Zone, B. Braun Medical Industries is one of the largest production sites of the Group, with over 7,600 employees. Established in 1972, B. Braun is a pioneer foreign investor in the northern state, which has evolved into the nexus for the medical device industry in Malaysia. The site houses four production plants manufacturing intravenous access solutions, pharmaceutical products and surgical instruments for global markets; as well as the Group’s global Centre of Excellence for Intravenous Access with full R&D capabilities, and B. Braun’s Asia Pacific regional headquarters.