Exin Therapeutics, Inc., the groundbreaking neurotherapeutics laboratory integrated with an AI drug discovery platform in the Philippines, is set to begin commercial operations this month, October 2025.
The Board of Investments (BOI), which granted Green Lane Certification under Executive Order No. 18 to Exin’s operation, made the announcement Friday, October 17.
Set to begin commercial operations in October 2025, BOI said the Exin facility marks a milestone in the country’s biotechnology sector as it positions the Philippines as the premier destination for advanced neurotherapeutics research and development in Southeast Asia.
BOI Assistance Center Executive Director Bobby Fondevilla emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach in advancing initiatives like Exin Therapeutics, whose project qualifies as a strategic investment. He noted that the BOI, together with other relevant agencies, is fully prepared to hand-hold investors throughout their entire journey, from initial entry to full-scale operations, ensuring a smooth and efficient investment process in the Philippines.
The San Francisco-based biotech startup, founded by three Oxford-trained neuroscientists and backed by prestigious accelerator Y Combinator, specializes in developing circuit-level genetic therapies for complex brain disorders, including epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and schizophrenia. The company combines neuroscience, genetics, and artificial intelligence to redefine how brain disorders are understood and treated.
Exin Therapeutics Chief Scientific Officer, Ivan Lazarte, highlighted the Philippines’ talented workforce, cost-efficient operations, and rapidly growing economy as key factors in their decision to build the lab in the country.
The project adopts a dual-hub model, with Manila serving as the center of wet-lab operations, while its parent company in San Francisco leads computational drug discovery and global business development.
Exin’s operations will invest PHP45 million (USD 0.8 million) in its first phase (2025-2027) to build the country’s first state-of-the-art neurotherapeutics research facility in Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig. The initiative aims to create 35 high-value jobs for Filipino scientists, technicians, and support staff, all of whom will receive training in gene therapy, neuroscience, and AI-driven drug discovery.
Utilizing advanced AAV-based gene delivery and AI-driven drug discovery platforms, the BGC facility will design and validate 10 new drug candidates per month. It will generate 10,000 data points monthly from high throughput neurophysiology experiments studies and is expected to process 180 drug candidates, generating over 180,000 data points by 2027.
In its second phase (2027-2029), Exin envisions a Php1 billion (USD 30 million) expansion in Clark, Pampanga, with a 2,000-6,000 square meter research complex that will scale capacity to 100 drug candidates per month, generate 100,000 data points monthly, and create over 300 high-value jobs, along with more than 200 indirect employment opportunities.
The project supports the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 by advancing science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of inclusive and sustainable growth. It expands R&D capabilities, strengthens innovation ecosystems, and develops new high-technology industries.
Environmental sustainability is also a priority. The facility will incorporate energy-efficient HVAC systems and waste-reduction protocols aligned with international green lab standards. Exin is also exploring rooftop solar integration and increased reliance on renewable energy sources.
This undertaking marks the first neurotherapeutics R&D hub of its kind in Southeast Asia, linking Philippine-based laboratories with global operations and positioning the country at the forefront of next-generation medical research.
“This initiative embodies our vision for a knowledge-based, innovation-driven, and globally competitive economy. It’s not just about attracting foreign investment, it’s about transferring cutting-edge expertise to Filipino scientists, building local capacity, and positioning the Philippines as a leader in advanced biotechnology research,” said BOI Managing Head and Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo.
The BOI, through its One-Stop Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI), remains a committed partner in building the Philippines as a biotech powerhouse. For companies shaping the future of science, there’s no better place to Make it Happen than in the Philippines.
