JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – State-owned company PT Bio Farma cooperates with a company from China Sinovac Biotech Ltd in producing vaccine for the Covid-19 corona virus.
PT Bio Farma President Director Honesti Basyir said, Covid-19 vaccine Sinovac produced have passed phase I and II clinical trials.
Phase III clinical trials will soon be conducted in various countries in the near future, including in Indonesia.
“The transfer of Covid-19 vaccine production technology from Sinovac to Bio Farma was carried out during the third phase of clinical trials,” Honesti said in a press conference broadcast on YouTube’s Presidential Secretariat on Thursday (07/16/2020).
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Honesti said, Bio Farma will collaborate with Padjadjaran University and the Health Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes) to prepare for the third phase of clinical trials.
It will also coordinate with the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
If approved by BPOM, the vaccine can later be used for emergencies starting in the first quarter of 2021.
According to Honesty, Sinovac was chosen because of its credibility in producing a number of vaccines for more than 30 countries, one of which is Hepatitis A vaccine that has received recognition from the World Health Organization (WHO).
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Honesti said Sinovac had begun phase I and II clinical trials of the Covid-19 vaccine last June.
The clinical trial found no severe side effects and produced an immune response in 743 volunteers.
“Pre-clinical studies, clinical trials phase one and two have been completed. Sinovac is preparing phase three clinical trials at a number of clinical trial centers in the world, “Honesti said.
In addition to working with Sinovac, Bio Farma develops local vaccines under a national consortium formed by the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN).
In addition to Bio Farma, the national consortium consists of the Eijkman Institute, relevant ministries and institutions, and universities.
However, Honesti estimates that this local vaccine will only be available in the community in early or mid 2022.
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