KUALA LUMPUR (July 27): TMC Life Sciences Bhd said its Singaporean holding group Thomson Medical Group (TMG) has inked a joint venture (JV) agreement with IVI-RMA Global, to set up the first private assisted reproductive technologies (ART) centre in Asia.

The exclusive JV agreement is said to be in line with the region's growing demand for assisted reproduction, mainly through in vitro fertilisation (IVF) procedures, especially in markets such as China, Indonesia and Vietnam.

In a filing with the stock exchange today, TMC Life Sciences said the partnership is aimed at bringing IVI-RMA Global’s best and latest technology, knowledge and expertise of assisted reproduction to Asia.

It will therefore allow TMG to become the first private ART integrated service, training and education, and research platform in the region.

“To be headquartered out of Singapore, the JV seeks to deliver industry-leading clinical services, training and education, and research in the region with the fastest growing demand for assisted reproduction services.

“With this agreement, TMC Fertility will become part of this Pan-Asian platform, driving future growth,” read TMC Life Sciences' statement.

The group said the Singapore centre will host the third research centre for IVI-RMA Global, serving the entire Asian region, after Valencia (for Europe) and New Jersey (for the Americas).

IVI-RMA Global, with a team of more than 2,000 medical professionals, is currently the largest assisted reproduction group in the world, operating more than 70 clinics mainly spread across Europe and the Americas.

Meanwhile, TMC Life Sciences is an integrated healthcare platform that operates Thomson Hospital in Kota Damansara, and six TMC Fertility Centres across Malaysia.

“As we work towards our vision of transforming into Asia’s preferred integrated health system, we are very excited at the prospect of working with IVI-RMA Global to build the best possible platform in the field of ART.  

“This is testament to TMG’s own position as the regional leader in ART, and we now look forward to becoming the dominant platform in Asia,” said it chairman, Ng Ser Miang, in the statement.