Kalbe Farma (KLBF) Ready to Expand to the Middle East and North Africa

CORPORATE STRATEGIC - JAKARTA. Before being ready to export its Hansizhuang product (serplulimab injection) or small cell lung cancer drug, a result of its collaboration with Shanghai Henlius Biotech, Inc (Henlius) to the Middle East and North Africa markets, PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe) must take several investment steps.

President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk, Vidjongtius said the product must pass a series of clinical trials up to phase 3, which are conducted not only in Indonesia but also in several Southeast Asian countries.

“So for this investment, we have conducted 2-3 phase 3 clinical trials for cancer, not only in Indonesia but also in Southeast Asian countries, so it's multi-country clinical trials,” he said at the Signing Ceremony of Kalbe and Henlius China Collaboration in Cakung, East Jakarta, Monday (11/09).

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“The investment is quite large, for one good clinical trial (up to phase 3) we are talking about a value of maybe IDR 100 billion-IDR 200 billion,” he added.

In addition to investment in the clinical trial sector, Vidjongtius explained that the company has also invested in production facilities located in Cikarang, West Java.

“Later, the product we signed this morning will be produced in that facility,” he revealed.

He admitted, that for that facility the company has invested approximately IDR 500 billion, then if added with some processes inside (within the facility) it can be estimated to reach a total investment of IDR 700-800 billion.

Vidjongtius also explained that based on the clinical trials that have been conducted, the serplulimab injection drug which is included in the anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody drug product (mAb) is the best drug in its class to treat extensive stage small cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC).

“Small cell lung cancer is a type of cancer that is difficult to cure. With this drug, we hope to provide new hope for patients,” he revealed.

He added, that patients with small cell lung cancer have a relatively short life expectancy, which can be counted in months. This drug, he revealed, can significantly extend life expectancy.

“I can say that the life expectancy increases by several months. For example, without this drug it's 5 months, with this drug it can be 8 to 9 months,” he said.

For your information, as the name implies, small cell lung cancer is a type of lung cancer that consists of small cells, this cancer is usually suffered by smokers.

Editor: Syamsul Azhar