Alp Atay, Head, Asia Pacific (APAC), described the APAC region as large and diverse, with approximately 2-3 billion people, offering numerous growth opportunities.

Specifically, the Japanese pharmaceutical firm is considering Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam, where it aims to develop innovative pharmaceutical products and services, Atay said.

Astellas has been present in Vietnam since 2006 and officially established the business in 2022. He highlighted that since beginning operations here, the company has experienced promising growth. He also pointed out Vietnam’s rising healthcare needs, which remain partially unmet.

Atay reiterated the company’s founding mission: converting scientific innovations into practical value for patients. Astellas focuses primarily on urology, organ transplantation, and oncology. Additionally, the company is expanding into specialized cancer treatments, women’s health, and ophthalmology. Atay stated that these areas would help fulfill the company’s goal to “bring the best treatments closer to those in need.”

The company also works to improve product accessibility, raise awareness, and disseminate medical knowledge, aiming for patient convenience upon product availability. This involves collaboration with communities, patients, healthcare professionals, medical institutions, and universities.

Addressing challenges in Vietnam, Atay mentioned a few significant obstacles, emphasizing that Astellas is relatively young, with a diverse R&D portfolio and a flexible, ambitious workforce. Currently, the company is actively growing its staff, product offerings, and market presence. However, he noted concerns about the length of product registration procedures in Vietnam. Once products are approved, the team seeks their inclusion in the national health insurance list to enhance patient access.

“We actively collaborate with organizations, hospitals, health authorities, and the local government,” Atay said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a few years, Vietnam becomes the fastest-growing country in the Asia-Pacific region.”

Alp Atay emphasized Astellas’ strategic foundation of delivering top treatments and improving accessibility in an interview with Read. Photo by Read/Thanh Tung

Echoing Atay’s perspective, Tran Minh Toan, General Manager, Astellas Vietnam, said Vietnam has significant room for growth. “I have no doubts about Vietnam’s economic potential. Post-Covid-19, many wondered if Vietnam could recover quickly. In reality, we’ve not only overcome challenges but also surged ahead. Vietnamese people are highly adaptable, especially the younger generation who are trained in foreign languages early on, so I’m confident the future is bright.”

Toan highlighted that foreign investors appreciate working with Vietnamese professionals due to their youth, enthusiasm, creativity, openness to change, and work ethic. He also recognized Vietnam’s attractiveness for foreign investment, crediting it to government officials who maintain open dialogues and proactively address issues.

A graduate of Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Toan brings nearly 30 years of pharmaceutical industry experience, primarily with multinational companies. He observed that Vietnam’s medical expertise matches international standards but identified gaps in medical infrastructure, which are gradually improving.

Toan suggested that organ transplantation might become a flagship specialty in Vietnam, potentially rivaling global standards. He emphasized the importance of enhanced medical education to empower transplant patients with better self-care, improving their quality of life.

Organ transplantation has been giving a second life to many patients with nearly 10,000 patients having received transplants in Vietnam. However, there is still a large number of patients waiting for organ transplants and need attention.

For several years, Astellas has collaborated with Vietnam’s National Organ Transplant Coordination Center. Last year, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh registered to donate tissues and organs posthumously, urging citizens to participate voluntarily to save lives. Following his initiative, registrations significantly increased.

Astellas plans to establish communication channels with universities, hospitals, and community groups. The company is also investing in digitalization and artificial intelligence to streamline processes and enhance employee competencies.

Tran Minh Toan, General Manager, Astellas Vietnam. Photo by Read/Thanh Tung

Founded in 2005 from the merger between Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Group and Fujisawa Pharmaceutical Group with an age of over 120 years, Astellas operates in over 70 countries. This year, Astellas celebrates its 20th anniversary globally. Besides its Tokyo headquarters, the company maintains six research centers, a major production facility, and numerous subsidiaries and offices worldwide.