MANILA, Philippines — Global science-led biopharmaceutical company AstraZeneca Philippines has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) to launch the country’s first multi-stakeholder Health Innovation Hub, aiming to accelerate the adoption and access to new and emerging healthcare solutions nationwide.

The 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.

Healthcare innovation

“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.”

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.

As one of the leading healthcare innovators in the Philippines, AstraZeneca Philippines has driven research and conducted thousands of NCD screenings. AstraZeneca aims to lead the delivery of over 7 billion pesos worth of investments projected from 2026 to 2028 in a multi-stakeholder health ecosystem, signaling its commitment to driving long-term growth and scientific advancement in the Philippines.

“Beyond treatment, our dedication includes investing in early screening. We have screened close to 4 million Filipino patients since 2021, and our commitment continues,” Lotis Ramin, country president AstraZeneca Philippines, said. “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.”

Strategic support

For its part, 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 PEZA Director General Tereso O. 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.

The Department of Trade and Industry, meanwhile, saw the signing as the result of its campaign in fostering an environment where businesses can thrive and innovate to provide better services for.

“This partnership embodies our core belief: the government creates the enabling environment and the private sector provides the innovation and resources,” said Cristina Aldeguer-Roque, Secretary of the DTI. “Together we deliver meaningful impact for Filipino patients, building a healthcare system that is preventive, integrated, and ready for the future.

Future forward healthcare

Area vice president AstraZeneca Asia Sylvia Varela stresses the value of strategic partnerships in advancing early screening and healthcare innovation across Asia, at the Memorandum of Understanding signing of the country’s first multi-stakeholder Health Innovation Hub.

This milestone partnership is expected to drive inclusive growth while helping to build a more future-ready healthcare system for the Philippines.

This strategic alignment between government initiatives and private sector investment was highlighted by Sylvia Varela, area vice president, AstraZeneca Asia, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering medical research and driving future healthcare innovation.

“We have proven that strategic partnerships bring better health outcomes,” said Sylvia Varela. “Through our partnerships with entrepreneurs, start-ups, academic institutions, governments, healthcare providers, and industry leaders, we have administered early screening and diagnostic programs to thousands of patients across Asia, provided comprehensive training to healthcare professionals, and consistently advanced early detection rates of NCDs in our key markets.”

“With the launch of the Health Innovation Hub, we can focus on co-creating solutions for urgent health issues, and serve as an incubator for local healthcare innovation by connecting the Philippines through AstraZeneca’s global A. Catalyst Network, linking more than 25 countries to share expertise and technology. Together, we can unite innovation and expertise to create seamless healthcare solutions.” Varela added.

By integrating global medical knowledge and pioneering technologies, this collaborative effort aims to set a new benchmark for healthcare innovation and accessibility across the Philippines.