Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad and China Reinsurance Life Insurance Company Limited signed a reinsurance treaty to support cancer precision medicine treatment coverage in Malaysia.

The agreement created Malaysia’s first dedicated reinsurance framework for advanced cancer treatment coverage. It covered treatments such as CAR-T cell therapy, targeted therapies and access to overseas oncology care.

The treaty was signed during a visit by Li Qi, General Manager of China Re Life, to Malaysian Re’s headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. The agreement became a key part of a wider healthcare ecosystem developed by Malaysian Re together with China Re Life.

Malaysian Re said the framework was designed to turn reinsurance and retakaful capacity into consumer-ready coverage. It covered product design, market engagement and distributor onboarding through a multi-channel distribution model.

Beacon Global Risk Solutions Limited, Malaysian Re’s appointed reinsurance broker for the initiative, coordinated the ecosystem. The framework linked reinsurance and retakaful with primary insurance and takaful, direct-to-pharmacy distribution, hospitals and partnerships with major pharmaceutical companies.

The cancer precision medicine insurance and takaful product was designed to widen access to selected advanced cancer treatments. It also included an overseas treatment benefit, allowing patients to receive care at selected oncology centres in China when medically suitable.

Malaysian Re said the product drew on China Re Life’s experience in supporting a large cancer precision medicine model in China. Through the treaty, Malaysian insurers and takaful operators would be able to access specialised reinsurance and retakaful capacity for this growing health risk segment.

Ahmad Noor Azhari Abdul Manaf, President and CEO of Malaysian Reinsurance Berhad, said reinsurance and retakaful should do more than transfer or share risk. He said they should also help people gain real access to protection and care.

He noted that more than 60 percent of cancer patients were diagnosed at late stages. According to him, the treaty with China Re Life was an important step toward expanding access to advanced cancer treatments and improving outcomes for Malaysians.

Li Qi, General Manager of China Re Life, said the company had built its position by entering complex and underserved risk areas that directly affected people’s lives. He said the partnership with Malaysian Re in cancer precision medicine reflected that commitment.

Both organisations also planned to explore wider cooperation in critical illness, longevity and health management solutions across Southeast Asia. They were also looking at staff exchange programmes and joint technical working groups to support knowledge transfer between the two institutions.