Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (PRBME) is following up on and supporting the development and preparation of Merah Putih vaccine seeds by state-owned vaccine manufacturer PT Bio Farma for the pre-clinical trial.
"We only need to do a follow-up in order to reach the pre-clinical stage and even clinical trial," PRBME head Sandi Sufiandi informed during the ‘National Health Resiliency Webinar: Merah Putih Vaccine Development’ on Wednesday.
The Merah Putih vaccine seeds have been developed using a recombinant protein platform that utilizes yeast cells.
The vaccine seeds were delivered to PT Bio Farma for further development so they are ready to enter the next stage, namely pre-clinical trials.
Within the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), there are three Merah Putih vaccine seed research and development platforms.
They comprise one at the Genetic Engineering Research Center and two at PRBME, with each at a different stage of progress.
Related news: COVID-19 vaccine Merah Putih is milestone in R&D sector: BRIN
BRIN's Genetic Engineering Research Center is conducting research to develop a recombinant protein-based vaccine seed by utilizing mammal cells. An in vitro test has been carried out and will be followed by in vivo test.
Meanwhile, PRBME is also developing recombinant protein-based vaccine seeds that utilize mammal cells, in addition to yeast cells.
The in vitro and in vivo tests have shown positive results. However, PRBME does not yet have an industry partner to develop the vaccine seeds.
Sufiandi said he expects industry support to continue the development of Merah Putih vaccines based on the three platforms.
Meanwhile, during the webinar, head of COVID-19 vaccine development at Airlangga University, Fedik Abdul Rantam, said that the Phase I clinical trial data for the Merah Putih vaccine that the university has developed is still in the analysis stage.
Related news: Data from Merah Putih vaccine's phase-1 clinical trial being analyzed
Related news: Ministry presents Merah Putih vaccine's halal certificate to PT Biotis
