Asia-Pacific’s rise as a biotech powerhouse underscores a profound shift in global innovation dynamics. What once was the near-exclusive domain of the US and Europe is now being decentralised, as companies pivot eastward in search of fresh talent, cost efficiency, and regulatory agility.
Bain & Company’s report highlights not just a budgetary crunch in the US, but also the appeal of Asia’s scientific momentum and government-backed innovation ecosystems.
Multibillion-dollar commitments from Pfizer and AstraZeneca, coupled with Singapore’s proactive role through EDB partnerships and robust IP protections, signal that this is no fleeting trend but a recalibration of where the future of medicine will be shaped.
With next-generation therapies–from mRNA to AI-driven discovery–taking root in Asia-Pacific, the region is poised to drive breakthroughs that will define healthcare for decades. The narrative is no longer about catching up; it’s about leading.
Meanwhile, Jakarta faces unrest as mass protests erupt over rising economic pressures and political dissatisfaction. Demonstrators clashed with security forces, prompting disruptions across key districts.
Authorities introduced emergency measures, and Grab launched Gercep, a rapid-response safety feature for drivers, underscoring how urban instability is reshaping mobility and public safety.
REGIONAL
Sky Mavis regains its footing as crypto winds turn
The company’s revenue rose 51 per cent to US$35.2M for FY 2024, according to its latest audited financial statement | This is still just 3 per cent of the US$1.3B it drew at the height of Axie Infinity in 2021.
Former Ant Group exec’s Obita raises US$10M to bridge Web2 and Web3 payments
Investors include Vision Plus Capital, Mirana Ventures, Legend Capital, HashKey Capital, and Web3.com Ventures | Obita builds compliant stablecoin-powered cross-border payment network, targeting high-growth markets and global financial innovation.
Ula co-founder raises US$10M to reimagine the back office with AI
Nipun Mehra’s latest startup, Neoflo.ai, has launched with a US$10M seed round from Lightspeed India, Peak XV, and Alter Global | His B2B e-commerce startup Ula was shut down in late 2023.
Mekari acquires Desty to expand omnichannel commerce solutions in Indonesia
The deal aims to strengthen Mekari’s omnichannel commerce solutions and drive business growth across the archipelago | Omnichannel commerce is experiencing rapid transformation due to increasing digitalisation and evolving consumer behaviour.
91 percent of ASEAN enterprises expect GenAI disruption within 18 months: study
An IDC research paper showed APAC enterprises are realising that centralized cloud architecture alone is unable to meet the increased demands of scale, speed, and compliance | It is crucial that businesses rethink and enhance infrastructure strategies to include edge services to stay competitive and compliant, and be ready for real-world AI deployment.
AnyMind acquires Japan’s NADESIKO to supercharge social-driven beauty commerce
NADESIKO brings expertise in social marketing within the beauty sector, particularly excelling in Japan’s short-form video marketing landscape | This acquisition marks AnyMind’s 12th globally and its sixth in Japan.
SG data centre BDx inks deal with Taiwanese renewables firm
The agreement will see BDx indirectly import green energy from HEXA’s new projects in Malaysia to support sustainable data center infrastructure in Singapore | The partnership backs Singapore’s Green Plan 2030 and helps address challenges in sourcing renewable energy locally.
Indonesia protests: Grab CEO visits killed driver’s family
Anthony Tan offered condolences to the family of Rusdamdiansyah, known as Dandi, who died on August 29, 2025 | Grab said it will provide immediate financial assistance, two years of health coverage, and business support for the late driver’s family.
Grab introduces Gercep to protect drivers during unrest in Indonesia
The feature aims to provide immediate legal and psychological assistance to Grab’s driver community, disproportionately affected by the unrest | This comes after the tragic deaths of a Gojek driver in Jakarta and a Grab driver in Makassar during riots in the two cities.
Bangkok gets a new innovation hub as ZenicHub opens co-working and accelerator facility
ZenicHub offers a modern workspace alongside essential resources and community support for sustainable growth | The facility aims to foster collaboration, innovation, and scaling for entrepreneurs, startups, and growing businesses across Southeast Asia.
REPORTS, FEATURES & INTERVIEWS
Asia Pacific redefines biotech: Global pharma’s strategic shift from West to East
The region is making significant strides in next-generation modalities, including mRNA, cell and gene therapies (CGTs), antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), and AI-led drug discovery | This momentum is making Asia-Pacific increasingly relevant in the global biotech landscape.
Turning the tide: Waterhub tackles Indonesia’s drinking water paradox
By eliminating the need for plastic packaging and reducing transportation requirements, Waterhub offers an environmentally and economically sustainable alternative to conventional bottled water.
INTERNATIONAL
South Korea’s SME ministry sets US$12.3B budget for startups, AI
Venture investment funds will rise, with US$803M for the country’s main fund-of-funds, half allocated for AI and deeptech, and a US$949M “re-challenge fund” for failed founders, supported by US$584M in government funding.
Saudi Arabia unveils US$400M fund to boost startups, SMEs
The programme offers refunds on 10 government fees, such as expatriate fees, commercial registration, municipality licenses | Eligible applicants must be MSMEs, have started operating no earlier than January 1, 2024, and have been operating no more than three years.
Ola’s Krutrim cuts nearly 50 linguistics staff in third layoff
Krutrim is developing a LLM named Krutrim 3 and has seen over 200 departures so far, including layoffs and leadership exits | Key personnel from the text-to-speech project, including team leaders, were among those let go, leaving the linguistics team significantly reduced.
Japan Post Bank to launch blockchain-based digital yen
The bank, partly owned by the Japanese government and holding around US$1.3T in deposits, said it will introduce DCJPY, a blockchain-based deposit currency developed by DeCurret DCP | DCJPY will let customers convert yen into the digital currency for instant transactions involving digital securities and other blockchain assets.
Kakao subsidiaries down 30 per cent after business reshuffle
The South Korean IT company, known for operating the KakaoTalk messenger, now has 102 subsidiaries, down from 147 in May 2023 |
The drop follows Kakao’s efforts to restructure and focus more on AI, with the company streamlining operations outside its core business.
ECHELON
Lenovo powers Southeast Asia’s digital growth at Echelon Philippines 2025
Echelon Philippines 2025 on 2–3 September unites Lenovo and the nation’s top tech disruptors in Manila. Be part of the movement!
SEMICONDUCTOR
Court orders detention of 3 in alleged TSMC trade secret theft
The Intellectual Property and Commercial Court ruled on September 1, 2025 after prosecutors indicted Chen Li-ming, a former TSMC engineer now at Japan-based supplier Tokyo Electron, and TSMC engineers Wu Ping-chun and Ko Yi-ping.
Abu Dhabi-backed G42 seeks more chip suppliers for AI campus
The company is in talks with US tech firms such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, Meta, and Elon Musk’s xAI to become tenants at the new data centre | G42 is also considering chipmakers AMD, Cerebras Systems, and Qualcomm to provide computing capacity for the campus.
Indian semiconductor firm Tessolve raises US$150M for acquisitions
TPG Growth is the investor | The semiconductor engineering services firm plans to use the funds to expand its global delivery centres, upgrade test labs, and pursue acquisitions.
AI
The new builders: AI startups reinventing how Southeast Asia’s enterprises innovate
AI startups across Southeast Asia are building platforms, data tools, and infrastructure that empower enterprises to scale, adapt, and innovate faster.
Indonesia’s AI momentum: Big investments, bigger questions
Investment in Indonesia’s AI sector is growing rapidly | The 141.5 per cent growth over five years shows strong confidence in the country’s tech potential | Yet traditional investment checks often overlook critical a question: “can the AI outputs from startups be trusted?”
THOUGHT LEADERSHIP
Scaling empathy with technology: Bridging the healthcare divide
By 2026, Singapore will be a “super-aged” society, with one in four residents aged 65 or older | Yet seniors remain among the slowest adopters of digital tools such as mobile health apps and telehealth platforms.
Gaming as the next social network: How Gen Z and Gen Alpha are redefining digital belonging
Unlike static posts, games allow experimentation with identity in fluid, immersive ways | Players can reinvent themselves daily, adopting new skins, personas, or affiliations | For young people navigating identity in real life—gender, sexuality, or self-image—games can provide a safe testing ground.
Markets plunge into September chaos: Tech titans tumble as global tensions ignite
Global markets opened September 2025 with tech sell-offs, inflation fears, and crypto declines, while gold surged as a safe haven | Asian markets, stepping in to kick off the week’s trading, have largely followed suit by opening lower, echoing the unease from Friday’s US session.
10x returns without the hype: The power of impact investing
What if your next investment gave you strong returns while making a lasting impact on one of the world’s biggest problems
Indonesia’s agritech landscape: Keys to building a scalable agriculture startup
The urgency of developing agriculture startups in Indonesia cannot be overstated | With approximately 40.75M people working in agriculture, accounting for 27.8 per cent of Indonesia’s 149.38M active workforce, this sector is vital to the nation’s economic wellbeing.
From village to cloud: Why public-private partnerships hold the key to inclusive tech in SEA
We love unicorns, but Southeast Asia’s true tech success will come from partnerships that lift the smallest boats, not just the fastest ships.
Web3 can absorb SEA’s talent glut, only if education evolves
Web3 is urgently seeking professionals who can execute and scale across functions | This makes it clear that the challenge we face is less about finding talent, and more about helping capable people learn how to lead in a decentralised, fast-moving environment.
More choices, less hassle: Unlocking retail magic with AI and tech
Offering consumers more choices come at a cost. Services like buy-online-return-in-store (BORIS), same-day locker pickups, and on-demand delivery have become essential offerings, but delivering these conveniences often complicates backend operations.
How companies can pursue tech-led sustainability in APAC
The region’s many low-lying coastal cities are exposed to flood and typhoon risks, and extreme weather events have become common | As the region grows and energy demand reaches unprecedented levels, finding alternative energy solutions has become an urgent necessity.
Scaling challenges in the Philippine startup ecosystem: What founders are up against
Access to capital is the most pressing concern for scaling founders | The report notes that since 2022, a global “funding winter” has chilled investment activity, with growth-stage startups in the Philippines finding it particularly difficult to secure financing.
The post Ecosystem Roundup: Asia Pacific reshapes biotech | Sky Mavis rebounds | New AI builders in SEA | Grab’s Gercep safeguards drivers in Indonesia appeared first on e27.