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In focus
- Thailand’s bid to become a healthtech innovation hub
- A look back on Danantara’s ‘wildcard’ role in the Grab-GoTo deal
- Why Uber stopped developing its self-driving cars
Hello reader,
Would you ever consider a 3D-printed bone implant? Apparently, it could go mainstream sooner than most people realize.
At the last Tech in Asia Conference, the top CTO award went to Patcharapit Promoppatum of OsseoLabs, a Thailand-based startup that specializes in 3D-printed implants.
In his presentation as a finalist, the panel of judges gave him five minutes to provide a solution if he was in a situation where he would need bone implants fast. It’s safe to say he delivered a plan good enough to bag the top prize.
His isn’t the only company specializing in 3D implants in Thailand, though.
In our Top Story, guest writer Kid Parchariyanon, managing partner of VC firm SeaX Ventures, argues that Thailand has the potential to be a hotbed for healthcare innovations, thanks in part to the innovative startups in the sector. One of these is Meticuly, which produces custom titanium bone implants using 3D printing.
Parchariyanon argues that cross-border collaboration and more government-funded support for local talent would be needed to advance Thailand’s position in the segment.
We also look at Uber’s plan to be the ride-hailing network of choice for those looking to book self-driving or human-driven cars. This comes as it has tried for years to develop autonomous vehicles.
Elyssa Lopez, journalist
Top Story
Thailand’s healthtech gap could spark regional opportunity
Image credit: Arsal Ysfin
Could Thailand become a hotbed for healthtech innovation? The answer might be yes – with the right government partnerships and funding.
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