Fresenius Kabi enters joint venture on I.V. generics in Indonesia

Fresenius Kabi has formed a joint venture with PT Soho Global Health, a leading Indonesian pharmaceutical company, acquiring a 51 percent stake in its PT Ethica Industri Farmasi (EIP) subsidiary. This joint venture will focus on I.V. generic drugs and infusion solutions, and make Fresenius Kabi the market leader in I.V. generics in Indonesia.

Founded in 1946, EIP was the first manufacturer of injectable drugs in Indonesia. The company has a broad product portfolio and extensive experience and expertise in the production and marketing of generic drugs in the Indonesian market. EIP operates a production plant in Jakarta. The product portfolio of the future joint venture generated sales of more than €40 million last year.

Demand for health care in Indonesia has been growing steadily and is expected to accelerate in the coming years due to the implementation of a universal health care program, starting in 2014. As a result, almost the entire Indonesian population, about 245 million, is set to have access to modern health care by 2019¹, with the country's pharmaceutical market expected to double to €7.1 billion by 2018². The joint venture therefore provides an attractive platform for Fresenius Kabi's future growth in one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in Southeast Asia.

"Entering the joint venture brings us valuable local manufacturing capabilities and a strong market presence to provide patients and health care professionals in Indonesia with immediate access to high quality, affordable drugs," said Mats Henriksson, Chairman of the Management Board of Fresenius Kabi. "At the same time, we will establish a strong hub for further expanding our business in the Southeast Asian region. Our partner has many years of experience and a very good reputation serving the Indonesian health care market."

Tan Eng Liang, President Commissioner of PT Soho Global Health, said: "We are excited to be cooperating with Fresenius Kabi, because of the perfect fit between the companies. This joint venture gives us the possibility of strengthening our leading position in our home market as well as capturing the growth opportunities in the region in a fast and sustainable way. Together, we can boost the product pipeline with numerous launches in 2014 and beyond."

The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price. Closing of the transaction is expected in the third quarter of 2013.

¹ Source: Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia, 2012
² IMS Market Prognosis Sep 2012, Dataview Date © IMS HEALTH