Page 35 - From Zero To Hero

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Pioneering Research
Hovid has etched its name in Malaysia’s history
of research and development for its many firsts of
technologicaladvancements.Someofthecompany’s
unmatched feats includebeingfirst inMalaysiaand
the world to develop a commercial scale integrated
process for extracting valuable Carotenoids and
Tocotrienols from the natural palm oil, first in the
world to develop the self-emulsifying SupraBio
system for improved absorption of Tocotrienols in
the human body up to 300%.
In an effort to continue their research in this,
Hovid works with Ohio State University for To-
cotrienol studies on strokes, and also collaborated
withUniversiti SainsMalaysia (USM) andMalaysia
PalmOil Board (MPOB) for clinical studies on the
efficiency of Tocotrienol in stroke prevention and
liver protection.
Other pioneering research results by Hovid in
Malaysia include being the first to produce film-
coated analgesics, soft gel capsules, effervescent
tablets, antibiotics in dispersible tablet form,
patentedtechnologies indrugdelivery systems and
packing of herbal tea in dried, easy to use teabags.
Afterventuringintopharmaceuticalmanufactur-
ing, Hovidhas passedmany significantmilestones.
OnememorableappointmentforHovidwasin1998
whentheywereappointedas suppliers toUNICEF’s
drugs procurement programme.
Continuous Innovation
is Key TO International Success –
David Ho
Understanding the changing landscape of the
medical fraternity, Managing Director of Hovid
Berhad, David Ho is a visionary who always sees
an opportunity to serve society better by put-
ting into practice everything that he had learnt
in his tertiary education years in Pharmacy.
When his father, Dr Ho Kai Cheong decided it
was time to retire from the herbal tea business,
Ho resigned from his previous position with
a well known multinational pharmaceutical
company in the United Kingdom to assist in
growing the business.
To stay on top of the game, Ho stresses
the paramount importance of innovation and
continuous improvement in product offerings
for society.
“Always know your product, and know it well.
To penetrate the international market is not as
easy as some think – the first question to ask is, is
there a place for my product in the market? And if
there is, remember toraisesignificant capital andbe
preparedtofaceperceptions, situationsandcultural
differences,”Hoadvisesnewentrepreneurs seeking
to take their business to the next level.
For specialised industries such as the phar-
maceutical industry, it is crucial to ensure that
the right professional staff and research team
is in place before moving forward. Ideally, those
with a sound knowledge and educational back-
ground in pharmacy, physiology, biosciences
and human nutrition will be able to support the
high level of excellence and expectations of this
demanding industry.
David Ho ... Managing Director
of Hovid Berhad