ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesia is accelerating its ambition to become a regional healthcare manufacturing hub by developing Southeast Asia’s first integrated plasma-derived products (PDP) ecosystem through a strategic partnership with Japan’s global biopharmaceutical company Takeda.
The landmark collaboration marks a major step in Indonesia’s healthcare transformation, shifting the country from reliance on imported essential medicines toward domestic production of critical therapies and vaccines.
Indonesia’s Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the initiative represents a key milestone under the third pillar of Indonesia’s Health Transformation agenda — strengthening national health resilience.
“This initiative reflects Indonesia’s commitment to building strategic healthcare capabilities. Through close collaboration with trusted global partners such as Takeda, Indonesia can accelerate the development of a stronger and more future-ready healthcare system,” Budi said.
Under the partnership, Takeda will invest up to US$30 million in the initial development phase over two years to establish plasma collection centers in Indonesia. The facilities are expected to begin operations in 2027 as part of Takeda’s global BioLife plasma network.
Takeda is also assessing the feasibility of establishing an advanced plasma-derived therapy manufacturing facility in Indonesia, which would further strengthen the country’s pharmaceutical industry.
Building Regional Healthcare Independence
The initiative comes as Indonesia seeks to reduce vulnerability exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when global supply chain disruptions affected access to medical equipment, vaccines, diagnostic materials, and essential medicines.
Among the critical products affected were Plasma Derived Products (PDP), including albumin, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), Factor VIII, and Factor IX — therapies essential for immune disorders and blood-clotting conditions.
Health Minister Budi said Indonesia has significant potential to develop its own plasma industry due to its large population and extensive blood donor resources.
“As the world’s fourth most populous country, Indonesia has substantial raw materials from donated blood that can be processed into plasma-derived products domestically,” he said.
To accelerate investment, the government has streamlined regulations for plasma fractionation facilities since 2023.
The policy attracted investment from South Korea’s SK Plasma, which partnered with Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) to develop Indonesia’s first plasma fractionation facility.
The facility, valued at US$300 million with a production capacity of approximately 600,000 liters of plasma annually, has been completed and is targeted to begin full operations in 2027 after securing regulatory approvals.
Indonesia’s Healthcare Investment Push
Beyond plasma products, Indonesia is also strengthening domestic vaccine production through national biotechnology companies, including PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia and PT Biotis Pharmaceuticals Indonesia.
Biotis is also developing the Merah Putih Vaccine, a domestically developed vaccine that reflects Indonesia’s growing research and innovation capabilities.
Investment Minister and Head of Indonesia’s Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Rosan P. Roeslani said the collaboration would deliver long-term benefits through technology transfer, human resource development, and high-skilled job creation.
“This partnership not only strengthens the healthcare ecosystem but also supports Indonesia’s ambition to become a regional center for healthcare innovation and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing,” Rosan said.
Takeda’s President of Plasma-Derived Therapies, Ramy Riad, said the company is committed to leveraging its global expertise in plasma science to support Indonesia’s long-term healthcare goals, including developing skilled local healthcare professionals and laboratory technicians.
With the entry of Takeda alongside SK Plasma, Etana, and Biotis, Indonesia is positioning itself as one of Southeast Asia’s most ambitious markets in building a high-tech healthcare industry.
The initiative is expected to strengthen national health security while opening new opportunities for Indonesia to emerge as a regional healthcare manufacturing hub in Southeast Asia. (AT Network)
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