KUALA LUMPUR (March 3): Lembaga Tabung Haji has emerged as a substantial shareholder of Duopharma Biotech Bhd (KL:DPHARMA), following its latest acquisition of shares in the drugmaker.

The pilgrimage fund crossed the 5% disclosure threshold after acquiring 500,000 shares, equivalent to a 0.052% stake, on Monday, according to Duopharma's bourse filing on Tuesday.

The latest purchase bumped the fund’s total stake in Duopharma to 5.046%, representing 48.54 million shares.

Permodalan Nasional Bhd is Duopharma’s largest shareholder with a 44.104% stake, while the Employees Provident Fund has 9.087%.

Last month, Tabung Haji re-emerged as a substantial shareholder in  elecronic manufacturing services provider SKP Resources Bhd (KL:SKPRES) with a 5.092% stake after a decade-long absence. It also took substantial positions in newly listed tanker operator Orkim Bhd (KL:ORKIM) (5.006% stake), and retailer AEON Co (M) Bhd (KL:AEON)(5.013%).

Duopharma shares closed three sen or 2.07% higher at RM1.48 on Tuesday, valuing the group at RM1.42 billion. The stock has gained over 19% in the past one year.