Interbat fine-tunes its therapeutic focus with inherent knowledge of pharmaceutical market
Interbat manufactures over 300 products, mainly in premium-quality generics, and plans to open a new R&D facility next year to support its development of new products and to continue attracting top talent
Indonesia’s pharmaceutical market, which stands as the largest in Asean, is dominated by domestic players such as Interbat, banking on their in-depth understanding of local market needs and improved manufacturing and research and development (R&D) capabilities.
“Our product line-up directly correlates with the health care needs of the Indonesian people,” says vice-president Derrick Sukamto, whose grandfather founded Interbat in 1948. “Products intended for mothers and babies currently comprise our fastest-growing category, with Indonesia having one of the highest birth rates in the world.”
At its five-hectare factory complex in Sidoarjo, East Java, Interbat manufactures more than 300 products, encompassing more than 40 therapeutic classes. Although its core competency is producing premium-quality generics, Interbat is heavily investing in R&D to expand its portfolio of value-added products. It is slated to open a new R&D facility next year to support its development of new products and to continue attracting top talent.
“We’re open to co-marketing, co-producing, licensing and other import and export arrangements as we seek to diversify our portfolio and expand our global reach”
In 2000, Interbat started exports to Africa and now sells antibiotics and more than 50 other products in 10 different markets, including East Timor and Hong Kong. It has also successfully registered some of its formulations in Singapore and the Philippines.
With its long-standing position in Indonesia’s pharmaceutical industry complemented by a strong grasp of regulatory affairs, Interbat has become a trusted partner to leading multinationals seeking to enter the domestic market. Interbat leads in the probiotics field through a cooperation deal with Swedish biotechnology company BioGaia. In the premium baby care segment, Interbat serves as the official distributor of skin care products from French company Mustela. Anticipating a rise in demand for aesthetic products from working women and the rising middle class in Indonesia, Interbat is also aiming to grow its product offerings in the beauty and aesthetic segment.
“Through partnerships, we help ensure that more Indonesians have access to better health care,” Sukamto says. “We’re open to co-marketing, co-producing, licensing and other import and export arrangements as we seek to diversify our portfolio and expand our global reach.”
