Indonesia-China mRNA dengue vaccine to boost global health: BPOM

Jakarta (ANTARA) -

The Food and Drug Monitoring Agency (BPOM) said an mRNA-based dengue vaccine developed by the University of Indonesia and Tsinghua University could benefit not only Indonesia but also countries worldwide, and pledged support by ensuring its safety and efficacy.

BPOM Head Taruna Ikrar on Wednesday informed that approximately 390 million dengue infections occur worldwide each year.

Furthermore, data from the Ministry of Health shows that each year, around 161,000 people in Indonesia are infected with dengue, and about 700 die from the disease.

"This is an important discovery, and we can continue developing it further," Ikrar said at the launch of the mRNA Dengue Vaccine Prototype.

He explained that mRNA technology offers several advantages, including greater stability, efficacy, flexibility, and faster development.

Under Indonesia's Health Law No. 17 of 2023, the agency supports these initiatives through strict oversight to ensure that every product consumed by the public, including vaccines, is safe, efficacious, and of high quality.

He stated that although the vaccine is not yet ready, the discovery marks a significant first step, expressing hope that the collaboration will help tackle the disease worldwide.

On that occasion, he also expressed his appreciation for the parties that have involved BPOM in the vaccine's development from the beginning.

He said the agency's involvement would help it better understand the standards, methods, and characteristics of the project, enabling it to provide more appropriate support.

"We will make history: the world's first mRNA dengue vaccine," Ikrar emphasized.

On the same occasion, Beti Ernawati, Principal Investigator from the Department of Clinical Microbiology at the University of Indonesia, stated that the vaccine is currently in the preclinical trial stage.

"Based on the results of our pre-clinical trials, we found that the antibody titers generated against dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Indonesian strains were significantly higher than those reported for the commercial vaccine currently available in Indonesia," Ernawati said.

She also expressed hope that the vaccine's efficacy in Indonesian participants would be evident within six months and align with the preclinical trial results.

Meanwhile, the Director of the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), Ayom Widipaminto, said that his institution, along with PT Etana, is funding the vaccine prototype and clinical trials.

LPDP is providing Rp7 billion (US$378 thousand) and PT Etana Rp9 billion (US$486 thousand) for the project, while he said his institution is prepared to provide further funding to ensure Indonesia secures the necessary vaccines and medical equipment.

"This is the second year of the project, which will continue into its third year. The research endowment fund totals Rp14 trillion (US$757 million), with Rp1 trillion (US$54 million) available each year to support a broad range of research," Ayom said.

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