Bio Farma Eyes to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccine in Early 2021
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21 July 2020 15:02 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian government through its pharmaceutical holding company Bio Farma targeted the COVID-19 vaccine, which is developed in cooperation with a China-based pharmaceutical firm Sinovac Biotech, to be ready in early 2021.
Presently, Bio Farma along with Padjadjaran University and the Health Ministry's Research and Development Agency (Balitbangkes) is preparing the third phase of the clinical trial for the vaccine. The test is expected to complete in January 2021 and will be followed by mass production.
Bio Farma CEO Honesti Basyir said his firm will set ready 100-250 million doses of the vaccine per year. “But for the first phase, we target to produce 40 million doses per year,” said Honesti in the Presidential Palace Complex on Tuesday, July 21.
The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) head, Penny Kusumastuti Lukito, added that her institution would accompany the production process, ensuring that the distribution permit will be issued after the completion of the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.
“We have nearly found and produced this vaccine. The BPOM guarantees that the clinical trial protocol is valid. We will accompany the process to expedite the issuance of the distribution permit,” said Penny.
Read: Eijkman, Bio Farma Aim to Distribute Covid-19 Vaccine Next Year
DEWI NURITA