Our target is to complete in-vitro and in-vivo test (on animals), and start the clinical test in the second semester of 2021.Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Institute of Science (LIPI) has targeted to conduct clinical test for the Red and White vaccine to fight COVID-19 in the second semester of 2021.
"Our target is to complete in-vitro and in-vivo test (on animals), and start the clinical test in the second semester of 2021," LIPI Chairman Laksana Tri Handoko stated here on Friday.
LIPI has developed the COVID-19 vaccine, named after the colors of the national flag, Merah Putih (Red and White), using a re-combinant protein platform.
Research and development of the vaccine is still ongoing in the laboratory and has been tested on mammalian cells.
Handoko noted that LIPI had in place certified infrastructure for development of the vaccine, including the biosafety level-3 (BSL-3) laboratory.
It also has researchers experienced in development of vaccines, such as the vaccine for HPV (human papillomavirus) and hepatitis.
Being part of the national team for the development of the Red and White Vaccine, Handoko noted that LIPI has to work ceaselessly to develop the COVID-19 vaccine.
"LIPI's team works hard to accelerate the development of domestic-made (COVID-19) vaccine. LIPI has focused on (the development of) vaccine with the re-combinant protein platform but using a different target of the protein with those of Eijkman's," he remarked while referring to the Jakarta-based Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology that is also developing the vaccine.
The development of a domestic-made vaccine is deemed important to meet the domestic demand to thwart the spread of COVID-19. Related news: Govt forms national team for Red, White COVID-19 Vaccine development
Related news: COVID-19 vaccination will not be compulsory: Thohir
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Editor: Suharto
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