Bio Farma Offers Partnerships in Vaccine Development

Bali, Indonesia, Oct 28, 2012 – (ACN Newswire) – Indonesian vaccine-maker Bio Farma President Director Iskandar said the company he leads is ready to partner with vaccine manufacturers in developing and Islamic countries, particularly in the research and development of new vaccines.

“We hope that Bio Farma, as the only vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia, can be a hub or center for research and development of vaccines and serve as a partner to research new vaccines for developing countries,” Iskandar told reporters in Bali on Sunday.

Iskandar made the statement as host of the 13th Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Networks (DCVMN) to be held in Bali on 31 October to 2 November 2012.

According to Iskandar, all vaccine producers in the world have the same ultimate goal, namely to increase the availability and quality of vaccines in order to achieve healthy communities.

He explained that the purpose of holding the DCVMN meeting is to jointly combat the spread of infectious diseases that are endemic in many developing countries. This is to be achieved through increasing the capacity and quality of vaccines and improving vaccine research and development.

Iskandar said regular meetings of vaccine manufacturers in developing countries are needed to encourage the production and distribution of high-quality vaccines selectively in the long term to meet the targets of the national immunization program for these countries.

The Bio Farma president director said he had participated in the Global Health Product Development Conference 2012 in Seattle, 1-3 May 2012, where he gave a presentation on the achievements of Indonesia’s only vaccine manufacturer, which is today 122 years old.

In the international meeting Iskandar explained Bio Farma has produced 11 types of vaccines and all have world-class recognition, namely the recognition of pre-qualification from the World Health Organization (WHO).

This fact interested partners of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the originator of the international meeting in Seattle, and many of them expressed interest in working with Bio Farma in conducting clinical trials and the development of vaccines, Iskandar pointed out.

The panelists at the meeting, among others represented, include Subhash Kapre (Serum Institute of India), Yang Xiaoming (China National Biotech Group), Akira Homma (Bio-Manguinhos), and Iskandar (Bio Farma).

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is also scheduled to attend as a participant, represented by Dr. Kim Bush. More than 100 internasional vaccine researchers and experts have confirmed attendance at the conference.

DCVMN member countries are Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Republic of China, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.

DCVMN member companies and organizations are Beijing Minhai Biotechnology Bharat Biotech International Limited, Biological E. Limited, Bio-Manguinhos – Institute of Technology on Immunobiologicals, BioNet-Asia Co., Ltd., Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, Center for Genetic engineering and Biotechnology Chengda Liaoning, China National Biotec Group (CNBG).

Other members include EuBiologics, Finlay Institute, Haffkine, Hualan Bio, Incepta Ltd., Indian Immunologicals Limited, Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals, Instituto Butantan, National Administration of Laboratories and Institute of Health ANLIS “Dr. Carlos G. Malbran.”

Also represented are Panacea Biotec Ltd, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Bio Farma, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Serum Institute of India Ltd, Sinergium, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., SK Chemicals, Biovac Institute, Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 – Vabiotech, Government Pharmaceutical Organization-Holding Company for Biological Products & Vaccines (VACSERA), Tiantan, Walvax and Xiamen Innovax Biotech.

About Bio Farma

Since its establishment in 1890, Bio Farma has been active in supplying high quality vaccines aand serum for people. Currently, Bio Farma is among the largest vaccines manufacturers and suppliers in the world. The need for EPI vaccines in Indonesia has been supplied solely by Bio Farma.

Bio Farma has existed for a century and proven its strength and experience world wide. The company has also grown and developed to become a vaccine and serum manufacturer of international reputation. This can be seen from its qualifications and ability to acquire WHO prequalification for all of its EPI Vaccine products. For more information, please visitwww.biofarma.co.id.

About DCVMN

The Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) aims to protect people against known and emerging infectious diseases globally by increasing the availability and enhancing the quality of vaccines produced in emerging countries. DCVMN works to strengthen vaccine manufacturers through the provision of information programs and professional training on technical improvements, research in vaccine production, encouraging technology transfer initiatives, and educating the public about the availability of safe and effective vaccines, from developing world manufacturers and related programs. The purposes of the Association are carried through the provision of technical assistance, training and research in vaccine production, informational programmes aimed at educating the public about the availability of safe and effective vaccines from developing world manufactures, and related workshops. For more information, please visitwww.dcvmn.com.

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