Bio Farma and 23 Century Medical Group Explore Collaboration on Stem Cell-Based and Secretome-Based Products in Indonesia

Jakarta, 9 October 2026 - PT Bio Farma (Persero) and 23 Century Medical Group Sdn Bhd signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration on registering, commercializing, and distributing stem cell- and/or secretome-based products in Indonesia.

Bio Farma's Director of Research and Development, Dicky Mahardhika Taryono, and 23 Century Medical Group's Managing Director, Datok Seri Dr. David Mah, signed the MoU in Jakarta on 9 October 2026. Didi Apriadi, Special Staff Member at the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM); Shadiq Akasya, President Director of Bio Farma; and Dr. Angelina Tiah, CEO of 23 Century Medical Group, witnessed the signing.

The collaboration marks an initial step for both companies to explore opportunities to bring innovations in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine to Indonesia through pathways that comply with regulatory requirements, meet quality standards, and address the needs of the national healthcare system.

The collaboration also offers Bio Farma and 23 Century Medical Group an opportunity to develop a shared understanding of market readiness, regulatory considerations, commercialization models, and the distribution systems needed to support the responsible development of stem cell- and/or secretome-based products in Indonesia.

Bio Farma President Director Shadiq Akasya said the collaboration with 23 Century Medical Group is a strategic step toward expanding the company's capabilities in cellular therapy and regenerative medicine while supporting Bio Farma's transformation in the life sciences sector.

"For Bio Farma, developing this field is a strategic step aligned with our extensive experience in developing vaccines and conventional pharmaceutical products. From a research and development perspective, we view this partnership as an opportunity to expand our knowledge and build capabilities that will strengthen Indonesia's biotechnology ecosystem," said Shadiq.

Shadiq also expressed appreciation for the support of the Ministry of Investment and Downstream Industry/Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) in promoting investment in the biotechnology and healthcare sectors, particularly to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities through strategic collaboration with international partners.

Bio Farma's Director of Research and Development, Dicky Mahardhika Taryono, said that developing this expertise forms part of the company's long-term efforts to strengthen Indonesia's health resilience and self-reliance. Strengthening the broader ecosystem requires the gradual development of research capabilities, qualified professionals, quality systems, industry readiness, and healthcare services.

"For Bio Farma, this exploratory collaboration is part of our efforts to build national capabilities in more advanced health technologies. We aim to gradually strengthen our understanding of the science, regulatory requirements, quality systems, and industry readiness. The long-term goal is to support public access to health innovations with demonstrated safety and benefit," said Dicky.

The exploratory collaboration with 23 Century Medical Group provides Bio Farma with an opportunity to deepen its understanding of the evolving global ecosystem for cellular therapy and regenerative medicine.

Looking ahead, building a strong ecosystem in this field will require broader preparedness, including research and development, regulation, qualified professionals, quality systems, production technology, manufacturing facilities, and healthcare service readiness.

CEO of 23 Century Medical Group, Dr. Angelina Tiah Shy Yng, said that medicine is increasingly moving toward therapies that focus not only on symptom management but also on efforts to repair, restore, and improve biological function.

"The future of medicine is moving toward therapies that focus not only on managing symptoms but also on understanding how we can repair, restore, and improve the body's biological functions. Our exploratory collaboration with Bio Farma offers an opportunity to understand Indonesia's needs and requirements for stem cell and secretome-based products, as well as memory-like natural killer cells. We hope this collaboration can be an initial step toward assessing opportunities to develop local capabilities, with scientific evidence, quality, patient safety, and compliance with regulatory requirements as priorities," said Dr. Angelina.

Cellular therapy and regenerative medicine form part of advances in modern medicine and use cells and their biological derivatives to support efforts to repair, restore, or improve biological function.

This collaboration with 23 Century Medical Group forms part of Bio Farma's transformation to broaden its life sciences and healthcare expertise and portfolio while continuing to strengthen its core capabilities in vaccines and biological products. As a state-owned enterprise within the Danantara Indonesia ecosystem, Bio Farma is pursuing a transformation that emphasizes stronger governance, research, innovation, and competitiveness. Developing these capabilities is intended to create long-term value for the country and society and support national health resilience.

By developing these capabilities, Bio Farma aims to play an increasingly significant role in Indonesia's life sciences ecosystem while supporting the country's health resilience and self-reliance amid rapidly advancing health technology worldwide.

ABOUT PT BIO FARMA (PERSERO)

PT Bio Farma (Persero) is Indonesia's state-owned life science company and Southeast Asia's largest vaccine manufacturer. Founded in 1890 and headquartered in Bandung, Bio Farma produces and supplies vaccines to more than 150 countries and plays an active role in biotechnology research, innovation, and global health security. For further information, please visit: www.biofarma.co.id.

ABOUT 23 CENTURY MEDICAL GROUP

23 Century Medical Group is an international regenerative medicine and cellular therapy organisation headquartered in Malaysia, focused on the development, manufacturing and clinical application of advanced cellular therapies. Its platforms include WJ-MSC, WJ-MSC Secretome and ML-NK cellular therapy, supported by cGMP/CGTP manufacturing, translational medicine, clinical programme development and quality systems. The Group operates more than 15,000 sq ft of licensed cGMP cell manufacturing laboratories, including Grade B/A controlled manufacturing environments, and has established international collaborations across Asia.

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