US biotech firm expands footprint in Philippines

US BIOTECH company Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc. said it is expanding its Philippine workforce to staff a new Quezon City facility.

“Our new global business services center will enhance and expand our operational presence in the region and play a pivotal role within our extensive Global Shared Services network,” Konrad Bauer, senior vice-president, Global Business Services at Thermo Fisher Scientific, told BusinessWorld in an e-mail interview on Sept. 23.

On Aug. 29, the company cut the ribbon on the center, which will provide specialized financial and customer services to its clients in the healthcare and biotech sectors.

The center expands Thermo Fisher’s global shared services network, which consists of five locations worldwide.

He said the new facility will start with a team of 100 employees, with plans to increase to over 450 by the end of 2026.

“We’re also building on our presence in the Philippines, where we already have 1,400 colleagues working on clinical trials and commercial activities,” Mr. Bauer said.

Thermo Fisher aims to enhance its support for regional customers in the healthcare and biotech sectors using the local talent base, he added.

“Our plans include partnering with universities for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education and internships, supporting national science objectives through government engagement, and participating in community initiatives that promote science and technology,” Mr. Bauer said.

He also noted that the biotech industry in the Philippines is “on the verge of an exciting transformation,” driven by rising investment and strong government support.

“Key advancements are unfolding in healthcare with innovative drug development and diagnostics, agricultural biotech with breakthroughs in crop yields and sustainability, and environmental biotech with cutting-edge waste management and bioremediation,” Mr. Bauer added.

He also noted that research institutions like the Philippine Genome Center are fueling this growth, and a supportive regulatory environment and enhanced intellectual property protections are paving the way for a “vibrant future.”

“Ultimately, our efforts in the Philippines are designed to help advance scientific knowledge and innovation that address some of the world’s most pressing challenges,” Mr. Bauer said. — Aubrey Rose A. Inosante