Malaysian Re, China Re Life Sign Landmark Treaty For Cancer Treatment Coverage

KUALA LUMPUR, June 18 (Bernama) -- National reinsurer Malaysian Reinsurance Bhd (Malaysian Re) and China Reinsurance Life Insurance Company Ltd (China Re Life) have signed a landmark reinsurance treaty to support the first dedicated reinsurance framework for cancer precision medicine (CPM) treatment coverage in Malaysia.

China Re Life is one of Asia's leading life and health reinsurers.

A joint statement today said the treaty establishes Malaysia's first dedicated reinsurance framework for advanced cancer treatment coverage, including CAR-T cell therapy, targeted therapies and overseas oncology treatment access.

“The treaty forms the centrepiece of a broader healthcare ecosystem developed by Malaysian Re in partnership with China Re Life. 

“From product design and market engagement to distributor onboarding under a multi-channel distribution, Malaysian Re has developed a go-to-market infrastructure that transforms reinsurance and retakaful capacity into accessible, consumer-ready coverage,” it said.

Beacon Global Risk Solutions Ltd, Malaysian Re's appointed reinsurance broker, coordinated this end-to-end ecosystem for this initiative.

"At Malaysian Re, we believe reinsurance/ retakaful should do more than transfer or share risk — it should enable meaningful access to protection and care. 

"With more than 60 per cent of cancer patients diagnosed at late stages, this treaty with China Re Life represents an important milestone in expanding access to advanced cancer treatments with better treatment outcomes for Malaysians," said Malaysian Re's president and chief executive officer Ahmad Noor Azhari Abdul Manaf. 

As Malaysia's national reinsurer, he also said Malaysian Re is proud to support the development of affordable and innovative health solutions. It looks forward to broadening collaboration across other medical, life insurance and takaful segments.

Meanwhile, China Re Life's general manager Li Qi said the company has built its position as Asia's leading life and health reinsurer by going into complex, underserved risk categories that matter deeply to people's lives. 

"Our collaboration with Malaysian Re in CPM is a natural expression of that commitment. 

"Southeast Asia shares the same unmet needs we addressed in China, and we are confident this partnership will deliver the same transformative impact for millions of families across the region," said Qi. 

The CPM insurance/ takaful products, supported by this treaty, are designed to expand access to precision cancer care by providing coverage for selected advanced treatments. 

Drawing on China Re Life's experience in supporting a large-scale CPM model in China, Malaysian Re would provide local insurers and takaful operators with access to specialised reinsurance/ retakaful capacity for this increasing risk segment.

The product also includes an overseas treatment benefit, enabling covered patients to seek treatment at designated oncology centres in China when medically appropriate.

The collaboration also reflects growing cooperation between Malaysia and China in healthcare innovation and insurance protection, bringing together international expertise and local market capabilities to address evolving healthcare needs.

Building on this milestone, both parties will explore opportunities to expand the collaboration into critical illness, longevity, and health management solutions across Southeast Asia. 

In addition, they are also exploring initiatives to strengthen people exchange programmes and joint technical working groups to accelerate capability transfer between the two institutions.

-- BERNAMA