Icon Group elevates cancer care in Malaysia

Australia’s Icon Group has brought its high-quality cancer care services to Malaysia.

In January 2024, Icon Group opened its first cancer care centre at Island Hospital in Penang. The opening is the first under Icon’s joint venture with Sunsuria Healthcare, one of Malaysia’s largest healthcare providers.

Under the joint venture, Icon and Sunsuria Healthcare formed an entity called Icon Sunsuria. Icon Sunsuria will partner with local healthcare operators to set up cancer care centres across Malaysia.

‘At Icon, patients are at the heart of all that we do,’ says Mark Middleton OAM, Icon Group’s CEO. ‘Our expansion into new markets continues to see us deliver the best cancer care, to as many people, as close to home as possible.’

Patient-centric cancer care services

Icon Group is Australia’s largest dedicated cancer care provider. The company delivers all aspects of cancer care including medical oncology, radiation oncology, haematology, pharmacy, research and chemotherapy compounding.

In Australia, it has 40 cancer care centres and 4 chemotherapy compounding facilities. It manages more than 70 pharmacies, and operates the largest private cancer clinical trials program.

Icon has a strong presence worldwide. The company has 56 cancer centres and is active in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and, most recently, the UK.

Icon’s entry into the UK is underpinned by a partnership agreement with the UK’s largest healthcare charity, Nuffield Health, and recent acquisition of Pharmaxo. Pharmaxo is a leading pharmaceutical specialist manufacturer and clinical homecare provider.

Icon draws upon its global integrated network to close care gaps and deliver innovative ways to treat cancer. This includes developing cancer centres in underserved areas, collaborating with local organisations to deliver shared care partnerships, and delivering remote training and education for cancer care professionals. 

Icon Group is partnering with Malaysian healthcare providers to bring high-quality cancer care to patients.

Enhancing cancer care and treatment in Malaysia

Icon has a strong commitment to cancer care across Southeast Asia and pioneered private cancer care in Singapore. Icon Singapore has 6 cancer centres in operation, including the country’s first private integrated cancer centre at Mt Alvernia Hospital. This centre delivers all aspects of cancer care under the one roof.  

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), Malaysia reported more than 48,000 new cancer cases in 2020. This number is expected to double by 2040. 

‘Malaysia has been a focus market for expansion since 2022,’ says Serena Wee, Icon’s CEO for ASEAN and Hong Kong. ‘Icon Sunsuria’s partnership with Island Hospital enables us to provide exceptional cancer care and better access to quality cancer treatments for patients in Malaysia and the region.’

Island Hospital is one of Malaysia’s leading hospitals. The 600-bed facility attracted 200,000 health travellers from 70 countries in 2023. It was recognised by Newsweek as one of the Best Specialized Hospitals in Asia Pacific in the same year.

Austrade supports expansion across Southeast Asia

Austrade has long supported Icon to grow its business. In Singapore, Austrade has been assisting the company since 2015. Austrade has provided introductions and invited the company to showcase its services at health and medical events at the Australian High Commission.

In Malaysia, Austrade is currently supporting Icon with its expansion plans by providing key contacts and advice. Austrade’s Trade and Investment Commissioner in Malaysia, Melanie Harris, attended the signing ceremony for the Icon Group/Sunsuria Healthcare joint venture. A representative from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also attended the event.

‘Austrade has been instrumental in connecting us with relevant partners and providing networking opportunities to expand in the region. We appreciate their support and look forward to working with them to bring more care across the region,’ says Wee.

‘It’s pleasing to see a great Australian company like Icon providing world-class cancer care to not only patients from Malaysia but across Southeast Asia. It’s good news for Malaysia,’ says Harris.

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