- Published 2026.11.05 17:26
Gowa health officials circulate leaflets opposing new cartridges as incompatible with existing devices
Local unit rebuts, says it will supply devices too, demands apology within 48 hours
Friction as company pushes into public market with 74% local content certification
SD Biosensor has warned of legal action over a compatibility dispute surrounding a tuberculosis diagnostic device procurement project by an Indonesian local government. The move is seen as a determination to break through entry barriers that emerged as the company targets the public procurement market based on local production certification.
According to Indonesian media outlets including Faktual.net on Nov. 5, leaflets opposing the 2026 procurement plan for tuberculosis molecular diagnostic cartridges were recently circulated in Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi Province. Some officials at the Gowa Regency Health Office and tuberculosis supervisors claimed that the new products are incompatible with existing TCM devices installed at local health centers and violate the Health Ministry's technical guidelines.
In response, SD Biosensor's Indonesian subsidiary issued an official letter rebutting the allegations. The company said the diagnostic cartridges for the Standard M10 point-of-care molecular diagnostic device meet all specifications required by Indonesia's Health Ministry. On the compatibility issue, it explained that it will supply not only the cartridges but also the devices needed to run them, thereby meeting tuberculosis testing demand.
The company also emphasized the system connectivity and technical suitability of its product. SD Biosensor added that the Standard M10 is already integrated with Indonesia's national tuberculosis information system and complies with World Health Organization standards.
SD Biosensor said its product's reputation has been damaged by one-sided claims and has adopted a hard-line response. The company demanded that those who distributed the leaflets withdraw their claims and issue a public apology within 48 hours. "If this is ignored, we will take legal action on the matter," the local subsidiary warned.
At the root of the dispute is the Indonesian government's policy of prioritizing domestic products. SD Biosensor's tuberculosis diagnostic cartridges are locally produced with a 74.62% domestic component ratio certification and hold a domestic medical device distribution permit. The company made clear that the procurement complies with local regulations that give priority to domestic products in public tenders.
Indonesia is a country with a high tuberculosis burden, and the government is actively expanding diagnostic device programs. As SD Biosensor enters the public diagnostic market, previously dominated by multinational equipment, with its high TKDN score, it has come into friction with those who prioritize compatibility with existing infrastructure. The company is seeking to expand market share by supplying both cartridges and devices together.
※ This article is an AI translation of the Korean original published by Korea Credit News; it was checked by automated quality guards and published by the English edition desk.
