GE is a well-known international business across various industries. Can you provide information about its involvement in the pharmaceutical sector, specifically in Southeast Asia?

GE Healthcare Life Sciences plays a significant role in the global manufacturing of biopharmaceutical products, contributing to over 90% of marketed biopharmaceuticals through its equipment, cell culture media, and chromatography resins. GE is particularly active in Asia, with a focus on Southeast Asia, aiming to support the local manufacturing of life-saving products such as vaccines, insulin, and monoclonal antibodies. The company collaborates with various local stakeholders to facilitate this progress.

Could you elaborate on GE Healthcare’s operational goals in Indonesia?

Indonesia is currently primarily a genomics market that is transitioning into a proteomics market, which is when significant developments in bio-pharmaceuticals are expected. Our goals in Indonesia are two-fold. First, we aim to drive this transition and accelerate the change, enabling local players to enhance their expertise in the field of protein sciences. This includes taking on challenges and fostering self-sufficiency in areas like vaccines and plasma products. Second, we seek to partner with local institutions to develop human capital by upskilling individuals in protein sciences and cell therapy. To foster bio-pharmaceutical growth in Indonesia, it is crucial to have qualified professionals who can operate research labs and manufacturing facilities.

What are the key products and services provided by GE Life Sciences in the Indonesian market, and what is the company’s market share?

At GE Life Sciences, we operate in four broad areas. Firstly, we offer research tools for basic cell and biomolecule research, drug discovery, and cell therapy research. Secondly, we provide a wide range of technologies, solutions, and services for therapeutic and diagnostic development, including brands like Whatman and Biacore. Thirdly, our bioprocessing capabilities span from process development to full-scale bio-manufacturing, helping customers reduce costs and enhance productivity. Lastly, our quality testing tools and techniques find extensive use in forensic and human identification applications globally. In Indonesia, which has been primarily genomics-oriented, our overall share in the life sciences market is approximately 10%. However, in the proteins segment, our market share is around 30%.

Congratulations on winning the ‘Excellence in Leadership’ award from Bioprocess International. Can you share more details about this recognition and GE’s global leadership in research and development?

The ‘Excellence in Leadership’ award from Bioprocess International acknowledges the dedication of the entire GE Healthcare Life Sciences team in supporting customers worldwide to manufacture life-saving products. Through the development of innovative manufacturing solutions like KUBio and Flexfactory, GE has been at the forefront of driving efficiency and speed in the industry to achieve crucial goals.

What are the main challenges and opportunities in your current market?

In our current market, there are significantly more opportunities than challenges. Less than 10% of populations in emerging markets have access to vaccines, insulin, and other essential products like monoclonal antibodies. Our mission is to change this by expanding access and overcoming challenges such as the lack of expertise. We address these challenges by providing adequate training and solutions to the right organizations.

What are your future plans and outlook for GE Healthcare in Southeast Asia and specifically in Indonesia?

We anticipate significant growth in Southeast Asia as a whole, including Indonesia. This growth will be driven by increased activities from established players in Singapore and the rise of indigenous companies outside Singapore. In regions outside Singapore, bio-pharmaceutical growth will be fueled by vaccines, plasma products, biosimilars, and monoclonal antibodies. At GE Healthcare, we strive to be at the forefront of this growth by leveraging world-class expertise, providing comprehensive training, and establishing a robust supply chain infrastructure based in Singapore. Overall, it is an exciting time for us in South East Asia as we look ahead to the future.