President Jokowi Inaugurates First mRNA-Based COVID-19 Vaccine Facility in Southeast Asia

President Jokowi inaugurates factory owned by PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia Factory, in the Pulogadung Industrial Estate (JIEP), Jakarta, Friday (10/072). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Rahmat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Friday (10/07) officially inaugurated pharmaceutical factory owned by drug and vaccine manufacturer PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia in Jakarta Industrial Estate Pulogadung (JIEP), Jakarta.

“I do welcome the company’s efforts to produce vaccines with mRNA platform, and this is the first ever in Southeast Asia,” the President stated in his remarks.

The President went on to say that the existence of vaccine producers in the country is critical to anticipate the possibility of future pandemics.

“We do not expect another pandemic to come, but we will be much well-prepared if our industry is ready,” he said.

On that occasion, President also expressed appreciation to PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia for their quick respond in producing COVID-19 vaccines.

“I am surprised that the company worked in silence. All of a sudden, the product is immediately ready. I like the way they work. They’re not like those who keep talking without getting results,” he added.

In addition, the Head of State ordered Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan and Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin to bolster the development of biopharmaceutical industry in order to support the realization of Indonesia’s self-sufficiency in the pharmaceutical sector.

“I urge Coordinating Minister and Health Minister to fully support such industry like PT Etana so they can develop from biopharmaceuticals or biotechnology to agricultural sector. That way, we will become self-sufficient,” he asserted.

Previously, the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM) in September had issued emergency use authorization (EUA) for AWcorna vaccine registered by PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia and was developed through technology transfer and joint research with Chinese company Abogen-Yuxi Walvax.

AWcorna vaccine had also received a halal fatwa from the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and halal certification from the Halal Product Guarantee Agency (BPJPH). (RIF/HD/MMB)