13th DCVMN Conference: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Applauds Bio Farma

Bali, Indonesia, Nov 1, 2012 – (ACN Newswire) – Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation appreciates Indonesia, especially Bio Farma for hosting an esteemed Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) Annual General Meeting in Bali from October 31st – November 2nd, 2012.

Dr. Kim Bush of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation said at a meeting at the DCVMN on Thursday that his organization appreciates Bio Farma for hosting this prestigious conference. Bio Farma, according to Bush, is now in the position to offer cooperation with other developing countries vaccine manufacturers.

Bush attended the conference as Director of Life Science Partnerships – Global Health at Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. He received a Bachelor of Science from University of Tennessee-Knoxville, with honors, and a master in clinical sciences at University of Alabama, and attended the executive development programme at Columbia Business School.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation itself is the largest transparently operated private foundation in the world, founded by Bill and Melinda Gates. The primary aims of the foundation are to enhance healthcare and reduce extreme poverty, to expand educational opportunities and access to information technology globally. The foundation, based in Seattle, Washington, is controlled by its three trustees – Bill Gates, Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.

Bush believes Bio Farma is an example of a successful vaccine maker in the developing world not only for being able to produce various types vaccines prequalified by the WHO, but for its initiatives and cooperation on vaccine research with many developing countries as well.

“Bio Farma and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have been discussing the possibility of producing more specific vaccines such as for meningitis and pneumococcus. We have synergy in this aim,” Rahman Roestan, Secreatry of Bio Farma, said a press conference following the meeting.

Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs.

Pneumococcus is a bacterium that causes several different types of serious infections in children, of which the most common is pneumonia. Although the vast majority of children with pneumonia recover, the disease is occasionally fatal.

According to Rahman, Indonesia has already achieved a “sound, technological platform” in vaccine production and therefore looks forward to establishing cooperation in vaccine research and developments with other countries.

The Bio Farma President Director Iskandar said earlier 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.

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. 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.

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.

Contact:

Aat Surya Safaat

General Manager, Corporate Business Development

Perum LKBN ANTARA - Indonesian News Agency

T: +62-21-3802-2383 ext 251

M: +62-811-225-2228

E: aat@antara.co.id

U:www.antaranews.com