Value Proposition from Southeast Asia
According to the IMF, Southeast Asia (SEA) is home to over 700 million people, an estimated 9 percent of the world’s population In 2022, SEA’s combined nominal GDP was around US$3.6 trillion and by 2040, is projected to become an economic powerhouse fuelled by favourable demographics, industrialisation, urbanisation and technological advances. The increasing prevalence of infectious and chronic diseases across SEA is expected to continue propelling new drug demands.
Why are drug companies considering Southeast Asia
Due to the increasing burden of chronic conditions and the shift towards noncommunicable diseases, many SEA countries investing in upgrading their healthcare infrastructure and clinical research capabilities. SEA has a wide selection of diverse ethnic groups allowing focusing on certain disease prevalence and/or genetic backgrounds. The region also has access to populations with different treatment levels, including large treatment-naïve populations. SEA is a cost-effective solution, with an estimated 30 to 40% of cost savings for trials conducted in the region in comparison to developed markets. This is mainly due to lower staff, medical treatment and procedural costs, as well as lower regulatory fees.
Many countries in SEA have robust regulatory frameworks and approval timeframes that are competitive with developed markets. SEA also proposes a harmonised regulatory solution, the ASEAN Common Technical Dossier (CTD). This incentive allows drug companies to adhere to one set of regulatory requirements for all ASEAN countries, creating a more standardised and efficient process. Other advantages include data credibility and diversity. Data from clinical trials in Asia is now routinely accepted for US FDA and EMA regulatory submissions and show low levels of adverse findings versus the US or EU. Lastly, SEA has many academic groups and disease societies, led by Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), who frequently sits on global advisory boards and steering committees. Early engagement will provide interest and confidence to these KOLs, who could support recruitment and become advocates for new products in the Southeast Asian market.
In summary, SEA is at the centre of global growth, and a high priority investment to support advancing medical research. ClinChoice (CC) is your innovative partner, providing customized and cost-effective solutions when setting-up and conducting clinical trials in SEA. CC is key to unlocking this region’s potential through leveraging our established local networks, relationships, and regulatory expertise to identify risks, navigate challenges and deliver solutions.