Icon Group brings cancer care closer to home for patients in Southeast Asia

Icon Group (Icon) is a leading integrated healthcare provider built on a strong but simple mission – to deliver the best care possible, to as many people as possible, as close to home as possible.

The company offers medical and radiation oncology, haematology, pharmacy, sterile compounding and research services. Across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the UK, Icon has over 55-plus cancer centres and 6 compounding facilities. It also supports the services of over 70 pharmacies across Australia. More than half of its centres care for patients in outer metropolitan and regional centres.

Icon’s end-to-end model is expanding to meet a growing need for specialist cancer care in Southeast Asia. It runs 8 centres in Singapore, Malaysia and now Indonesia.

Icon, in partnership with Bali International Hospital, launched its first cancer centre in Indonesia in June 2025. The centre is located at Bali International Hospital, within the Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ). It is driven by a shared vision and contribution to enhancing cancer care in Indonesia, increasing access to evidence-based cancer treatments.

‘Our mission is to deliver care close to home,’ says Mark Middleton OAM, Icon Group’s CEO. ‘Our clinic in partnership with Bali International Hospital is an amazing example of that. It is a really special opportunity, and we are very proud to be part of it.’

Collaborative model serves patients and clinicians

Icon partners with leading local healthcare providers in the countries it operates in. Its facilities and support extend from Australia to New Zealand, Mainland China, Southeast Asia and the UK.

That collaborative networked approach is unique, says Middleton. ‘There’s so much more that can be achieved if you operate as a comprehensive, connected network,’ he says.

‘An oncologist in Bali can draw and share knowledge with our network of more than 350 oncologists all over the world. Knowing you have someone to turn to any time you need advice or a second opinion – that’s a real win for patient care,’ says Middleton.

The collaborative approach also allows patients to access care faster.

‘Icon’s radiotherapy planning team in Brisbane can remotely design and deliver highly complex and personalised treatment plans across all our global network,’ says Middleton. ‘Using a centralised team has cut planning time by 66%, meaning patients can be treated faster.’

Meeting a growing need for cancer care in Southeast Asia

Cancer is the second leading cause of death globally, according to the World Health Organization. The Global Cancer Observatory found that Southeast Asia recorded approximately 1.15 million cancer cases and 716,000 deaths in 2022.

Icon expanded to Southeast Asia in 2016 via the acquisition of a well-established private medical oncology business. Today, it has 5 cancer care centres and a dedicated haematology and health screening clinic in Singapore, including the nation’s first integrated private cancer centre at Mount Alvernia Hospital.

Since January 2024, Icon has opened cancer centres in Malaysia, its first at Island Hospital in Penang and its second at Prince Court Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur. The centres are under Icon’s joint venture with Sunsuria Healthcare.

Expansion to Indonesia

Indonesia is facing a significant and growing cancer burden, with over 400,000 new patients diagnosed in 2022. Like in other health systems, the Indonesian healthcare system faces challenges in resourcing timely diagnostic and treatment services, leading to many patients being diagnosed at advanced stages. As in Australia, patients must often travel long distances to receive care, evidenced by the significant number of Indonesian patients being treated by Icon’s doctors in Singapore and Malaysia.

To address this, Icon has launched its first fully integrated oncology centre in the country through a partnership with Bali International Hospital, owned and managed by PT Pertamina Bina Medika – Indonesia Healthcare Corporation (IHC), a state-owned holding company. This initiative reaffirms the Indonesian Government's dedication to enhancing its health infrastructure and establishing itself as a regional healthcare hub for Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

The Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is a cornerstone of the government’s plan to diversify Bali's economy by developing it into a medical tourism hub. The SEZ provides the regulatory flexibility that made the partnership possible.

‘This SEZ is a landmark initiative,’ says Serena Wee, Icon’s CEO for ASEAN.

‘It’s the first-time doctors from outside the country can be licensed to practise together with Indonesian doctors, and oncology medications not available in Indonesia can now be accessed in our centre.’

This model directly tackles key barriers to care. ‘This initiative by the government is what made our partnership with Bali International Hospital possible. It allows us to bring world-class cancer care directly to Indonesian patients closer to home,’ Wee adds.

The centre is designed to be a catalyst for systemic improvement in cancer care. It will improve equity of access, upskill local clinical teams, foster international collaboration, and enable more Indonesians to receive care closer to home.

‘Establishing the centre in Bali is a pivotal moment for healthcare in the region,’ says Middleton.

‘It really strengthens our regional network.’

Australian and Indonesian government officials touring Icon’s state-of-the-art cancer care clinic at Bali International Hospital.

Understanding local needs and culture

Icon’s presence also promotes knowledge sharing and economic growth.

‘Our international experts across Singapore, Malaysia and Australia are working alongside Indonesian clinicians and medical professionals – creating a truly global knowledge pool to enhance patient care. We’re creating jobs and supporting the broader healthcare ecosystem and government goals,’ notes Wee.

Icon emphasises that success in Southeast Asia requires more than simply replicating an Australian model.

‘It’s about understanding each market and their unique needs, regulations, cultural expectations and patient journeys,’ says Wee.

This philosophy is built on partnership and shared values. ‘And finding local partners with shared values that are universal in healthcare: patient care, trust, respect, honesty, transparency,’ adds Middleton.

Wee concludes, ‘Successful partnerships in healthcare require shared purpose and investment by both parties, time and understanding. The key is that we listen, learn and co-design services with our partners to ensure our care is world-class and appropriate for each region.’

Austrade supports Southeast Asia expansion

Austrade’s tailored support is a real advantage for high-growth companies like Icon looking to contribute and scale regionally and globally.

‘Austrade helps businesses connect with key partners,’ says Wee. ‘Their support builds trust, forms strategic partnerships, and navigates complex markets across Southeast Asia.’

Government-to-government support has been very important to open doors and build confidence, adds Middleton. ‘Austrade’s been at the opening of all our facilities, giving us exposure and credibility. That kind of support really matters in these markets.’

Continuing to lead the way in cancer care

Icon plans to continue innovating through developments like precision medicines, new technology and emerging treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, theranostics, and genomic profiling and screening.

‘I want us to continue providing the best care possible to as many people as we can around the world,’ says Middleton. ‘It’s a clear mission and an ambitious one, but I think we're well on our way.

‘We’ve got a sustainable model of care, great partners and an incredible team of people delivering exceptional patient care. We're executing on our mission, and I think the future looks incredibly bright.’