SBC Medical Group Expands Into Thailand Through BLEZ ASIA Partnership

SBC Medical Group Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SBC), Japan's leading aesthetic medical clinic chain operator, has entered into an e-consulting agreement with BLEZ ASIA Co., Ltd. to expand its operations into Thailand. The partnership represents a significant step in SBC's broader Asia expansion strategy and marks the company's entry into the Thai aesthetic medicine market, which is projected to reach nearly $1.2 billion by 2033 with a compound annual growth rate of 13.5%.

The collaboration will focus on establishing a new clinic in Bangkok's Asok district, specializing primarily in dermatological treatments such as pigmentation and spot removal. SBC will provide comprehensive management support, including advising on clinical protocols aligned with the company's quality standards and assisting in selecting medical devices and treatment methods optimized for local skin characteristics and environmental conditions. The clinic is expected to commence operations by year-end.

Thailand presents a strategic opportunity for SBC due to its substantial Japanese expatriate population of approximately 60,000 people who currently have limited access to Japanese-quality aesthetic treatments. The market is currently fragmented with many small-scale operators providing inconsistent service, creating an opening for standardized, high-quality medical services. BLEZ ASIA operates more than twenty pharmacies and clinics in Thailand and is widely trusted by both Japanese expatriates and local patients, making it an ideal partner for SBC's market entry.

This Thailand expansion builds on SBC's recent international growth initiatives, including the company's late 2024 launch in Singapore through a partnership with Aesthetic Healthcare Holdings. The company aims to begin serving the Japanese expatriate community in Thailand while steadily building its business with the goal of providing consistently high-level medical services and establishing new value in the Thai aesthetic medicine market.

Yoshiyuki Aikawa, CEO of SBC, emphasized the strategic importance of the partnership, stating that Japanese aesthetic medicine is globally competitive for its precision and high safety standards. The company has been building its quality and reputation in Japan while preparing for global expansion, and partnering with a trusted local leader such as BLEZ in this fast-growing Thai market represents a significant step forward in their Asia strategy.

The expansion comes as SBC reports strong performance in its domestic market, with annual patient visits growing 15% year-over-year in the third quarter and a return customer rate of 72%. The company recently overhauled its pricing structure to attract and retain customers and stay competitive in the Japanese market, where it operates 258 locations and is recognized as the largest beauty clinic chain operator.

Naoki Iida, CEO of BLEZ ASIA, noted that the Thai aesthetic medicine market continues to grow rapidly with increasing focus on quality and safety. Partnering with SBC, a leader in Japan with outstanding expertise and proven track record, provides an invaluable opportunity to firmly establish Japanese-standard, high-quality medical services in Thailand and build a brand that will be trusted and loved by the community for years to come.

Both markets share similar consumer preferences, with customers in Japan and Thailand seeking high-quality aesthetic treatments at affordable prices. Consumers increasingly demand procedures that offer subtle, natural-looking enhancements with minimal downtime, including hair removal and non-surgical treatments. This alignment in market demands positions SBC well to replicate its successful Japanese business model in the growing Thai market through its partnership with BLEZ ASIA.