US Pharma Giant Merck Backs Southeast Asia's Healthcare Marketplace HD

In a strategic move to expand its reach in the digital health space and increase access to its products, US pharma giant Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD) has invested in Thailand-based healthcare startup HD. The investment marks MSD's first foray into the healthtech sector in the Asia Pacific region and aligns with its long-term strategic goals.

HD, founded in 2019, is a leading healthcare and surgery marketplace in emerging Southeast Asia, powering over 1,500 healthcare providers, including some of the largest hospitals. The platform connects patients to hospitals, clinics, operating rooms, and surgeons while offering healthcare financing solutions to increase access to affordable care and surgeries. To date, over 250,000 patients have benefited from more accessible and affordable healthcare through HD's platform.

MSD's investment in HD is a testament to the startup's innovative approach to healthcare, combining a marketplace platform with AI technology. HD's AI chatbot, Jib AI, is trained on a vast, proprietary healthcare product, transaction, and chat commerce data set using advanced large language models. This AI agent handles initial triaging and care navigation tasks, freeing up healthcare professionals to focus on patient care. Almost 60% of customer interactions are managed by AI agents, delivering high-quality, instant 24/7 responses to customers.

HD's innovative approach to healthcare, combining a marketplace platform with AI technology, differentiates it from traditional healthcare providers and competitors in the region. The platform offers patients a convenient and affordable way to access healthcare services, while also addressing the widespread issue of underutilization of hospital and clinic capacities. By partnering with HD, MSD gains access to a vast network of healthcare providers and a large customer base, enabling it to increase sales of its products, such as HPV vaccines.

In conclusion, MSD's investment in HD is a strategic move that aligns with its long-term goals in the Asia Pacific region. HD's innovative approach to healthcare, combining a marketplace platform with AI technology, offers MSD an expanded distribution network, increased brand visibility, data-driven insights, and support for its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. As HD continues to grow and expand its reach in Southeast Asia, investors can expect to see a strong return on their investment in this innovative healthcare startup.