Vaccine Experts to Attend 13th DCVMN Conference

Bali, Indonesia, Oct 27, 2012 – (ACN Newswire) – At least 106 researchers and experts have confirmed attendance at the 13th annual general Meeting of Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) in Bali, slated for October 31-November 2, 2012.

“We’ve already received confirmation from 106 participants they will attend the event in Bali next week,” Rahman Roestan, corporate secretary of Indonesian vaccine-maker Bio Farma, told newsmen here on Saturday.

Roestan said in addition to participants representing the 14 DCVMN member countries, the meeting will also feature presentations and discussions from vaccine experts and government officials from the United States, Europe, Latin America and U.N. bodies.

He added the list of the speakers include Dr. Kim Bush of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who will speak on Programmes to Improve Global Health: why and how, and Dr. Shanelle Hall of the UNICEF Supply Division who is scheduled to speak on UNICEF strategies for forecasting vaccine demand and working with countries and manufacturers.

Indonesian top vaccine researcher Dr. Mahendra Suhardono will preside over a panel discussion featuring speakers including Dr. Tjandra Yoga of the Indonesian Health Ministry’s director general of communicable disease control who will outline an initiative on global cooperation for facing pandemic influenza.

Dr. Daniel Rodriguez of Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will speak on the organization’s cooperation mechanism for the joint procurement of vaccines, syringes, and related supplies for its participating member states.

Panelists representing leading Asian vaccine makers Butantan, Cadila, Biovac, Vabiotech, Bharat will discuss ways to expanding influenza vaccination in developing countries. Jan Hendriks of the Netherlands Vaccine Institute is to moderate the discussion.

In total, there are currently 37 vaccine-making organizations and companies members of the 14 DCVMN member countries. Indonesian vaccine-making company Bio Farma is the host for this year’s general meeting.

The objective of 13th DCVMN general meeting refers to the specific purpose of striving to increase availability and improving the quality of vaccines produced in the developing countries.

Bio Farma President Director Iskandar said last Tuesday that the DCVMN is a strategic alliance among developing countries vaccine manufacturers. Indonesia is founding member of the vaccine network with membership of 14 countries.

According to Iskandar since its establishment in Bandung, West Java in 1999, the DCVMN has achieved numerous milestones, particularly in providing quality and affordable vaccines accessible to the developing countries populations.

Whereas, the network strives to promote consistent and sustainable supply of quality vaccines at an affordable price, combat infectious diseases especially those from the developing world, by strengthening the capacity of vaccine related product manufactures.

It also encourages research and development efforts to meet the need for vaccines, fosters production and delivery of high quality vaccines and other health technologies effectively on a long-term basis for national immunization programs.

Iskandar pointed out Bio Farma is the only vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia that strives to become vaccine research and development center, serving as a partner to research new vaccines among the developing countries.

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

Member companies and organizations of DCVMN 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 included 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, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization the Holding Company for Biological Products & Vaccines (VACSERA), Tiantan, Walvax and Xiamen Innovax Biotech.

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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