Asia is a growth engine, and India is a cornerstone of that strategy — both as a destination for advanced therapies and as a contributor to global innovation

Dr Stefan Miltenyi, Founder, President, and Managing Director of Miltenyi Biotec, a Germany-based global biotechnology leader founded in 1989, pioneered Magnetic-Activated Cell Sorting (MACS) technology and has driven the company's growth into a leading provider of tools and integrated solutions for cell and gene therapy. BioSpectrum Asia met him at the 23rd edition of BioAsia, hosted by the Government of Telangana in Hyderabad, India where he outlined the company's vision for deeper ecosystem integration, scalable cell therapy infrastructure, bioinformatics advancement, and long-term capacity building – underscoring why India stands central to Miltenyi Biotec's regional growth roadmap over the next five years. Edited excerpts;

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How is Miltenyi Biotec adapting its strategy for ASEAN markets?

ASEAN is evolving into a strategic growth engine for global life sciences, and for Miltenyi Biotec, this shift requires both focus and localisation. Our global strategy remains consistent—providing integrated platforms that support the entire value chain from research to clinical translation. What is changing is the depth of our regional engagement. India and ASEAN are no longer viewed as emerging markets alone; they are becoming innovation-driven ecosystems with growing translational and manufacturing capabilities. In India particularly, the scale of the population and the accelerating investment in biotechnology create a strong case for advanced therapies. Our approach is built on three priorities: strengthening local scientific partnerships, enabling GMP-compliant manufacturing infrastructure, and facilitating technology transfer to support regional production of advanced cell and gene therapies. Its make in India for India. This ensures not only access to cutting-edge solutions but also long-term sustainability, scalability, and alignment with local regulatory frameworks. In short, our strategy is to move from market participation to ecosystem integration—supporting ASEAN's scientific maturity while expanding patient access to next-generation therapies.

How is Miltenyi Biotec supporting India’s biotech ecosystem?