In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, Southeast Asian vaccine manufacturers are seeking significant funding to transition beyond COVID-19 vaccines explore their strategic initiatives beyond COVID. Mutations of the virus will likely require regular updates to the vaccine, similar to the yearly flu shot, and manufacturers are investing in the technology and processes that will allow them to make these updates quickly and efficiently.
TSH Resources Bhd (TSH:MK), listed on Bursa Malaysia, has made notable strides in healthcare, particularly focusing on vaccine production. While its efforts have centered around COVID-19, the company aims to expand its healthcare arm to develop and manufacture other vaccines. To fuel this ambition, TSH Resources successfully issued a MYR 500 million (~ $120 million) bond recently to fund its growth.
Similarly, Pharmaniaga Bhd (PHARMA:MK), another prominent player listed on Bursa Malaysia, is looking to capitalize on its COVID-19 vaccine manufacturing experience to pivot towards other essential vaccines. The firm recently raised MYR 300 million (~ $72 million) in its latest capital raise to accelerate its research and development efforts for vaccines targeting diseases endemic to the region.
In the Philippines, United Laboratories Inc. (UNILAB:PH), listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE), has been instrumental in the nation’s vaccination drive. As the demand for COVID-19 vaccines subsides, the firm seeks to diversify its vaccine portfolio, focusing on prevalent regional diseases like typhoid and cholera. The firm recently raised PHP 10 billion (~ $200 million) in capital to support this strategic pivot.
The pandemic has highlighted the importance of vaccines to global health and the need for robust vaccine manufacturing and distribution infrastructure. These Southeast Asian vaccine manufacturers’ strategic shifts highlight the industry’s resilience and adaptability to abrupt changes, reaffirming the importance of regional health security and preparedness for potential future health crises.