Revata Utama is the Founder and CEO of Nusantics, the most established precision molecular diagnostics company that builds PCR and NGS-based solutions to improve healthcare outcomes in both human and animal health.

Nusantics is a Series A company, invested by East Ventures and Illumina and claims to be the largest NGS company in the world.

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👋🏼  How would you explain your job to someone outside tech?

I'm building a wide range of affordable-yet-high quality molecular diagnostics tools for human and animal health.

With Nusantics, people will live healthier by having early and accurate diagnoses, enabling preventive healthcare, and getting the right medications if they are ill.

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🧐  What's something about you or your job that would surprise us?

I grew up with a father who is a medical doctor. So, healthcare has always been a huge part of me growing up.

For the longest time, nearly all healthcare and biotechnology products in Indonesia were imported. It made the cost of healthcare higher, causing doctors to take shortcuts in their diagnoses.

Then, in 2020, when Nusantics was founded, everything changed. We had the opportunity to step up during the COVID-19 pandemic with our locally produced PCR test kits, and for the first time in decades, we were part of a homegrown solution to a global crisis. It was a pivotal moment for both the company and the country's biotechnology industry.‍

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🏆  What has been the biggest highlight of your career so far?

Even after Nusantics' success during the COVID-19 pandemic, we faced significant challenges, largely due to issues left behind by my ex-co-founders. By the time I stepped in as CEO, we were staring down the barrel of bankruptcy and survival seemed like a distant dream.

Fast forward to today, and we’ve not only bounced back but thrived. We’ve supplied a large number of laboratories and hospitals with our locally produced PCR and NGS test kits.

And, in an exciting new chapter, we’ve expanded into shrimp pathogen diagnostics, helping farmers improve shrimp quality and prevent losses from bacterial and viral infections. It’s been a journey of resilience, innovation, and unwavering determination.

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🔍  What's a startup trend or space you're watching this year?

Primary and Secondary Care ecosystem in healthcare.

Changes in the overall healthcare ecosystem in Indonesia start with the primary and secondary care ecosystem. Supplying the technology to the ecosystem is not enough if the primary and secondary care ecosystem does not support the use of such technology.

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💼  What advice would you give someone starting out in your industry?

Be smart in how you approach the industry. The healthcare industry is unlike any other industry that startups usually play in. You will be playing in the field against giants that believe they can execute as well or better than you.

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🗣  What's one thing you can keep talking about for hours?

The current events of the world and of course, the current trend in healthcare technology and biotechnology.

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🎥  What's your favorite movie/TV show?

Suits S1 to 7! Love the duo of Harvey Specter and Mike Ross.

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🍨  What's your go-to ice cream flavor?

Chateraise Vanilla Ice Cream.

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