Jakarta. PathGen Diagnostik Teknologi, an Indonesia-based health biotechnology startup specializing in molecular testing solutions, has announced its recent funding from venture capital firms East Ventures and Royal Group Indonesia.

The exact amount of funding remains undisclosed but will be strategically allocated towards various key areas such as research and development (R&D), technology implementation, market expansion, and more.

"We are thrilled to have the backing of both East Ventures and Royal Group Indonesia. We are confident that this funding will bolster our mission to enhance community well-being by democratizing molecular testing solutions tailored to local contexts," Susanti, Co-Founder, and Chief Executive Officer of PathGen said on Friday.

Established in 2020 by Susanti and Michael Rampangilei (Co-Founder and COO), who joined in 2023, PathGen aims to make genomic solutions accessible in low- and middle-income countries by offering affordable molecular diagnostic tools for cancer detection and various other diseases in Indonesia.

Cancer continues to pose a significant global health challenge, resulting in nearly 10 million deaths in 2020. Approximately half of all cancer cases occur in developing and low-income countries. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted disparities in access to comprehensive cancer treatments. While over 90% of high-income countries possess adequate resources, less than 15 percent of low-income countries do. In Indonesia, for instance, only 18 percent of healthcare facilities have access to molecular cancer tests due to high costs, test complexity, and limitations in human and laboratory capacity.

To address this gap, PathGen offers accessible and reliable molecular diagnostic solutions to assess risks based on family history, determine prognosis, and predict treatment response. The company is developing a range of molecular genetic testing tools for various cancers, including colorectal, lung, cervical, and nasopharyngeal cancer.

To facilitate seamless testing and increase adoption in the Indonesian market, these tools will primarily utilize PCR technology. This approach leverages the abundance of PCR instruments in Indonesia resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. By harnessing PCR technology, PathGen aims to deliver comprehensive testing solutions that are both technically and financially viable, utilizing existing infrastructure while considering price constraints in the Indonesian market.

"At East Ventures, we recognize the transformative potential of genomic technology in revolutionizing Indonesia's healthcare system and infrastructure, particularly in realizing the numerous benefits of early disease detection and precision medicine. We warmly welcome PathGen into our ecosystem and eagerly support their efforts to make these solutions more accessible to the market," remarked Willson Cuaca, Co-Founder, and Managing Partner of East Ventures.

PathGen has achieved a strategic partnership with biotechnology company BioFarma to manufacture and distribute its flagship product, BioColoMelt-Dx, a molecular diagnostic tool for colorectal cancer. Launched in 2022, this product represents the first locally tested and produced molecular diagnostic kit in Indonesia. Currently, BioColoMelt-Dx is available in major cancer hospitals across Indonesia, including Dharmais Cancer Center and Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.

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