Upon the invitation of KALBE, Indonesia's largest pharmaceutical company, and innovative biopharmaceutical company Etana Biotechnologies, Dr. Chao Liu, CEO of Hemogen, visited Indonesia from October 8th to October 11th to explore cooperation in the development of Hemogen's thalassemia gene therapy project in Indonesia. The visit aimed to gain deeper insights into the local status of thalassemia prevention and treatment in Indonesia, as well as the regulatory requirements related to cell and gene therapy, with the goal of advancing the thalassemia gene therapy project in Indonesia and fostering more cooperation opportunities.
During his visit, Dr. Chao Liu was invited to attend the Dr. Boenjamin Setiawan Distinguished Lecture Series (DBSDLS) 2023 conference organized by KALBE, where he delivered a keynote speech on "Genomic, cell, and gene therapy implementation in medical practice."
The visit also included tours of Kalbe's subsidiaries, Innolab and Regenix, as well as NGI, a joint venture subsidiary of BGI Indonesia, and Etana Pharmaceuticals. Subsequently, meetings were held with Dr. Rizka, Director of the Drug and Medical Device Supervisory Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Health, to discuss the possibility of collaboration and the regulatory requirements for the implementation of Hemogen's thalassemia gene therapy product (HGI-001 Injection) in Indonesia.
Visiting Innolab and Regenix, subsidies of Kalbe.
Visiting Etana Pharmaceuticals
Visiting Dr. Rizka, Director of the Drug and Medical Device Supervisory Agency at the Indonesian Ministry of Health
Indonesia, as the world's fourth most populous country, has an estimated 3.0-10.0% of the population carrying β-thalassemia (β-thal), and 2.6-11.0% carrying α-thalassemia (α-thal). These figures indicate the significant prevalence of thalassemia in Indonesian society, posing profound impacts on individual health and presenting important challenges to public health and healthcare in Indonesia.
Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder that typically results in insufficient red blood cells in the body, leading to reduced oxygen transport capacity. The impact of this disease extends beyond individual health to burdening the healthcare resources and economy of society and the nation. Therefore, the Indonesian government and health authorities have been striving to strengthen prevention and control measures for thalassemia to reduce the transmission rate of this genetic disease and improve the quality of life for patients.
As a subsidiary of BGI Genomics, Hemogen combines BGI's capabilities in thalassemia screening and diagnosis, committed to providing a comprehensive solution for thalassemia screening, diagnosis, and treatment for local residents. Through Dr. Chao Liu's in-depth exchange in Indonesia, Hemogen has further deepened its understanding and mutual trust with local partners, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation.
Adhering to BGI's mission of "Gene Technology for the Benefit of Humanity" and never forgetting the original intention of "No Thalassemia in the World," Hemogen is dedicated to providing better medical services for thalassemia patients worldwide. We believe that through joint efforts with Indonesian partners, BGI will bring new breakthroughs and progress to thalassemia screening and treatment in Indonesia, bringing good news to thalassemia patients in Indonesia.
