Global science-led biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Philippines is investing PHP7 billion worth of investments, including the establishment of the country’s first-ever Health Innovation Hub, for delivery from 2026-2028.
AstraZeneca and Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the adoption and access to new and emerging healthcare solutions nationwide.
The MOU signing took place on August 19 at the PEZA Main Office in Pasay City, attended by PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, Secretary Frederick Go from the Office of the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAPIEA), Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), area vice president AstraZeneca Asia Sylvia Varela, and AstraZeneca Philippines country president Lotis Ramin.
The event was also attended by Amb. Anna Ferry, Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines, and Deputy Amb. Mike Welch, British Embassy Manila, highlighting the international significance and collaborative spirit of this pioneering healthcare initiative.
The MOU signals AstraZeneca objective to establish a multi-stakeholder health ecosystem and long-term growth and scientific advancement in the Philippines.
“With this signing, we officially launch the Philippines’ first multi-stakeholder Healthcare Innovation Hub, in partnership with PEZA,” Lotis Ramin, country president AstraZeneca Philippines, said. “This bold step positions the Philippines as a future leader and emerging center of healthcare innovation in the region.”
“Beyond treatment, our dedication includes investing in early screening. We have screened close to 4 million Filipino patients since 2021, and our commitment continues,” she added.
As one of the leading healthcare innovators in the Philippines, AstraZeneca Philippines has driven research and conducted thousands of NCD screenings.
“Together, across government, industry, advocacy, and international allies, we are building a system that is proactive, resilient, and driven by science. We are pioneering a new approach: detecting diseases earlier, harnessing AI-powered diagnostics, and investing in patient education, so that we can save more lives and provide better care for Filipinos,” said Ramin.
Under the agreement, AstraZeneca Philippines will be a member of PEZA’s Healthcare Innovation and Investment Promotion Program (HIIPP) and help promote the Philippines as a priority investment destination, particularly in healthcare innovation.
AstraZeneca envisions the Healthcare Innovation Hub as a dynamic, collaborative environment dedicated to advancing medical research. This includes areas such as AI-driven diagnostics, early non-communicable disease (NCD) screening, and digital health technologies. The hub will serve as the central point for AstraZeneca Philippines’ A. Catalyst Network, linking with more than 25 innovation hubs to accelerate the adoption of best practices.
PEZA Director General Tereso Panga reiterated the agency’s commitment to positioning the Philippines as a globally competitive destination for health innovation during the signing of the MOU with AstraZeneca.
PEZA will provide guidance and assistance to AstraZeneca regarding regulatory requirements and investment opportunities to ensure the hub’s operational success and sustainability.
“AstraZeneca will bring to our shores its proven global model,” said Panga. “These initiatives will not only attract millions of pesos in investments, but will also generate knowledge-sharing opportunities and, most importantly, save countless Filipino lives.”
For her part, DTI Secretary Cristina Aldeguer-Roque highlights the role of government in creating an enabling environment for private sector innovation during the AstraZeneca–PEZA Health Innovation Hub launch.
The Philippines’ pharmaceutical sector is one of its fastest-growing industries, with more than 14 multinational pharma companies. Under PEZA, over 50 manufacturers and medical device firms like Terumo Philippines, Merck Business Solutions, JMS Healthcare, and Royale Life Pharma, among others are currently operating in PEZA zones nationwide.
