Svetlana Yanchuk, Country President, AstraZeneca Malaysia

AstraZeneca is a global, science‑led biopharmaceutical company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialisation of innovative medicines that transform patient outcomes. Astra established its commercial presence in Malaysia in 1981, with AstraZeneca Malaysia (AZMY) formed following the global merger in 1999. In 2019, Malaysia became home to AstraZeneca’s Asia Pacific Business Services (APBS) and Global Financial Services (GFS) Hub, supporting global finance, data, automation, and analytics.

Today, AstraZeneca Malaysia is led by Country President Svetlana Yanchuk and employs more than 800 people, including the APBS and GFS workforce under the leadership of Bruno Calo Fernandez, Head of Global Financial Services, Asia-Pacific Region, with over 90% local representation. AstraZeneca achieved strong double-digit growth in the past few years, positioning AZMY as top ranking pharma in Malaysia, backed by a strong investment to clinical trial in Malaysia, including Phase 1 and first-in-human studies.

AstraZeneca plays an active role in shaping Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem and aspires to be a partner of choice, supporting the patient journey from disease awareness and early diagnosis to access to innovative treatments. The company develops solutions that enable earlier intervention across key therapy areas, including Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolic, Respiratory and Immunology, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, Oncology, and Rare Diseases.

Beyond healthcare, AstraZeneca advances community health through initiatives such as the Young Health Programme, which promotes healthier lifestyles among youth to reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases, reinforcing its commitment to improving health today while safeguarding the well-being of future generations.

What are some of your organisation’s proudest moments/milestones in Malaysia?

AstraZeneca’s milestones in Malaysia reflect its longstanding role in shaping the national healthcare ecosystem and its evolution into a trusted partner across public and private sectors.

• Lung health: Two MoUs signed during World Cancer Day 2025 advanced a multi-sector Lung Health Initiative with MOH, NGOs, and industry partners, alongside AI-enabled chest X-ray screening in NGO clinics (with NCSM and Qure.ai) to support earlier detection and improved care pathways for lung diseases, particularly lung cancer.
• Rare diseases: Strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration with MOH, policymakers, clinicians, and patient groups, including co-convening the Southeast Asia Rare Disease Policy Forum 2025 and supporting Rare Disease Day 2026 engagements, alongside the launch of Malaysia’s National Policy for Rare Diseases, driving more coordinated and inclusive care.
• Chronic kidney disease (CKD): Partnerships with nephrology societies, pathologists, and laboratory networks have enabled adoption of tools such as the MyCKD CPG app and KFRE, supporting earlier detection, better risk stratification, and improved clinical decision-making.
• Digital health (mySihatPal): Reaching over 14 million users and 370,000 screenings, this platform, developed in collaboration with medical societies, provides expert-validated content, access to over 300 healthcare providers, and preventive tools to support proactive health management.
• Partnership & Collaboration: AstraZeneca partners with pharmacy networks, including Sunway Multicare Pharmacy and Alpro Pharmacy, to raise public awareness of key non-communicable diseases including hypercholesterolaemia, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, asthma, and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These initiatives leverage digital platforms, social media, and in-store displays to educate the public on primary care conditions and associated risk factors.

Together, these efforts highlight AstraZeneca Malaysia’s commitment to delivering scalable, partnership-driven solutions that improve patient outcomes and advance the healthcare system.

Describe your operations and total investments in Malaysia (value, staff strength, etc.) to date.

AstraZeneca has a long‑standing and growing presence in Malaysia, anchored by two core pillars of Commercial Business and APBS/GFS Hub. The Commercial Business focuses on bringing innovative, life‑changing medicines to patients through responsible marketing and distribution, supported by key functions including Therapeutic Area Business Units, Diagnostics, Market Access, Regulatory Affairs, Innovation & Business Excellence, Corporate Affairs and other functions.

AstraZeneca established its Site Management & Monitoring (SMM) operations in 2022 to support and accelerate clinical trial delivery. This capability connects global research and development with Malaysian patients by expanding access to investigational therapies and advancing evidence generation in priority disease areas. Through a network of local study sites and dedicated teams, AstraZeneca conducts a broad portfolio of clinical research across multiple therapeutic areas, encompassing a wide range of investigational products and combinations. Local investments in clinical trials reflect a long‑term ambition to support a diverse pipeline, from early development, including Phase 1 and first‑in‑human studies through to real‑world evidence generation.

Malaysia is also home to one of AstraZeneca’s APBS/GFS hubs, which supports markets globally across finance, human resources, data, automation, analytics, and other enterprise services. The hub plays a key role in building digital and process capabilities that enhance enterprise efficiency and resilience, while creating high‑skilled employment opportunities locally.

Building on this foundation, the company continues to invest through talent development, digital and data capabilities, clinical research partnerships, and collaborations that strengthen diagnostics and improve patient access.

Based on your experience in operating in Malaysia what are the 3 most important criteria for achieving business success in Malaysia

• Timely introduction of a broad and innovative pipeline across key therapeutic areas is critical to business success in Malaysia, enabling patients to benefit from scientific advances closer to global availability. This breadth not only supports long-term sustainability but also drives continued investment in clinical research and strategic partnerships, while reinforcing Malaysia’s position as an attractive market for future innovation and pipeline expansion.
• An efficient and agile regulatory environment is essential to enabling timely patient access to innovative therapies. Streamlined approval processes, clear timelines, and constructive engagement between regulators and industry can help reduce time to market while maintaining high standards of safety and efficacy. Greater predictability supports better planning, faster adoption of innovation, and reinforces Malaysia’s attractiveness as a destination for clinical research and future product launches.

Long‑term success also requires a healthcare ecosystem that balances sustainability with innovation. This includes a supportive environment for private‑sector participation, alongside improved prioritisation and allocation for innovative medicines within the public healthcare system. Clear funding pathways, value‑based decision‑making, and strong public–private collaboration are critical to ensuring that innovation is accessible, and aligned with national health priorities, ultimately delivering better outcomes for patients.

How do you see your business growth and prospects in Malaysia now?

AstraZeneca’s growth prospects in Malaysia are supported by strong global momentum and a broad, science‑driven pipeline, underpinning a positive outlook for sustainable, long‑term growth. This is reinforced by a continued focus on next‑generation therapeutics, alongside strategic investments in digital health, diagnostics, and biopharmaceutical capability development, reflecting sustained demand and disciplined execution of the company’s innovation‑led strategy.

A key driver of this outlook is the depth and breadth of AstraZeneca’s pipeline, spanning multiple therapeutic areas, mechanisms of action, and stages of development. This diversified approach supports a steady flow of new medicines and indications, enabling consistent access to innovation across priority disease areas in Malaysia.

As we look ahead to 2030, the integration of digital tools and AI, especially in areas like early diagnosis, screening, and care optimisation, demonstrates AstraZeneca’s commitment to improving patient outcomes beyond medicines alone. AI acts as a force multiplier for our strategy, enabling faster discovery, more efficient clinical development, and enhanced delivery of medicines.

What recommendation or advice would you give to other companies looking to invest or do in business in Malaysia?

Companies looking to invest or expand in Malaysia will find a policy environment that is open to collaboration, underpinned by the government’s pro‑investment and partnership‑oriented approach. Malaysia emphasises attracting quality investments through collaboration, innovation, and value creation across sectors. This framework encourages closer public–private engagement and supports companies that are committed to long‑term partnerships, capability building, and contributing to national priorities such as innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience.

Malaysia also offers a strong ease of engagement and doing business, supported by end‑to‑end investment facilitation mechanisms. Through business facilitation services, companies benefit from coordinated support across the investment lifecycle, including regulatory navigation, inter‑agency coordination, and post‑investment facilitation. This structured, whole‑of‑government approach helps streamline engagement, address implementation challenges pragmatically, and provide investors with clearer pathways from commitment to execution, enabling companies to establish and scale their operations more efficiently in Malaysia.

In addition, Malaysia offers a compelling opportunity through its dynamic, skilled, and future‑ready workforce, which is a key pillar of the country’s investment proposition. Malaysia has a strong pipeline of talent across STEM disciplines, healthcare and scientific professions, digital and data capabilities, as well as a multilingual workforce proficient in English and regional languages, supporting both local and regional operations. This is complemented by a diverse and inclusive talent base, with professionals trained to operate in multicultural and cross‑border environments.

What are the top 3 reasons for your organisation joining the BMCC?

• To participate in a credible and influential platform that brings together UK and Malaysian organisations to advance shared priorities in healthcare, innovation, and sustainable development.
• To engage in strategic dialogues with policymakers, industry leaders, and the broader business community to support initiatives that strengthen Malaysia’s life sciences and healthcare ecosystem.
• To collaborate with partners across sectors in accelerating digital health adoption, talent development, and long-term capabilities that benefit patients and communities.

What is the top value you see for yourself or your organisation in being a member of the BMCC?

The most significant value lies in BMCC’s ability to convene diverse, high‑impact stakeholders particularly through the pivotal work of the BMCC and the Healthcare Committee enabling AstraZeneca to participate in structured engagements and bilateral dialogues with relevant ministries, forge partnerships that advance innovation, contribute meaningfully to national healthcare priorities, and support the development of a resilient, future‑ready healthcare system.

In one sentence, how would you describe your own experience or your organisation’s experience as a member of the BMCC.

As a member of the BMCC, we have benefited from a collaborative environment that enables open exchange, multisector engagement, and collective ambition strengthening our ability to contribute to national healthcare discussions and drive progress that benefits patients, communities, and the wider life sciences sector.