Indonesia will develop varying technological mastery to support independence in access to medicines and vaccines as well as broader pandemic emergency condition handling.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia has secured a chance to produce an mRNA (messenger RNA) vaccine through the technology transfer of AWcorna vaccine, which is currently ongoing, National Agency of Drug and Food Control (BPOM) head Penny K. Lukito said.

"AWcorna vaccine can support Indonesians' dream of domestic COVID-19 vaccine independence," she said during a press conference on emergency use authorization (EUA) for domestic COVID-19 vaccines here on Friday.

The production of the AWcorna vaccine as a domestic vaccine has also received support from the related authorities, such as the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment and the Health Ministry.

The support reflects the strong commitment of the Indonesian government to supporting pandemic handling and investment development in Indonesia, Lukito said.

"Indonesia will develop varying technological mastery to support independence in access to medicines and vaccines as well as broader pandemic emergency condition handling," she informed.

BPOM assured that AWcorna has received a halal fatwa from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and halal certification from the Halal Product Assurance Agency (BPJPH).

"Development and production of domestic vaccines is the pride of Indonesians as the early foundation for the nation's independence in pharmacy," Lukito said.

This momentum is expected to encourage the national pharmaceutical industry to continue to innovate by producing vaccines using the latest technology that are capable of competing on the global stage.

"BPOM expresses its appreciation of the COVID-19 Vaccine Evaluator National Committee Experts Team and immunization experts over their cooperation in allowing this vaccine to be promptly released to the public," Lukito remarked.

The AWcorna has been registered by PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (PT Etana) and is being developed through technology transfer and research with Abogen-Yuxi Walvax, China.

The mRNA platform development has involved 250 Indonesian researchers at PT Etana's production facility in Pulogadung, East Jakarta.

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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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