Jakarta, 16 September 2022

As a follow-up to the annual meeting of CEPI members in April 2022 in Bergen, Norway, the Ministry of Health together with The Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) continued a series of agendas in accelerating vaccine research and development to overcome the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

This activity, which involved elements of related ministries / agencies, researchers and academics, as well as the national vaccine industry in Indonesia, was one of a series of activities carried out by the CEPI delegation in Indonesia before the annual board meeting which will be held in Bali on September 19-21, 2022.

The Roundtable Discussion aims to map national technical capacity in science, clinical trials, and manufacturing, including understanding future priorities. In addition, this hybrid discussion forum also explored the complementary roles that CEPI can and should play in the next strategic period, by identifying areas where CEPI can serve as a collaborator and connector to strengthen domestic investment, foster regional synergies, and promote global coordination.

Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices L. Rizka Andalucia, who is also a Member of the CEPI Investor Board or Sovereign Investor Board Member of the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for the 2022-2025 period, expressed her views regarding the efforts that must be made to keep up with the exponential spread of the virus by developing COVID-19 vaccines and therapies. “The development and production of vaccines and therapeutics is still done by the pharmaceutical industry in most High-Income Countries (HICs). Clearly, there is a need for equity and access, including technology transfer for developing countries,” Rizka said.

Director of Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Resilience Roy Himawan in his presentation said that the vaccine research and development ecosystem is one of the significant activities to improve vaccine resilience in Indonesia. “The productivity of research and development in Indonesia still needs to be encouraged and improved with multisectoral involvement,” Himawan concluded. An average of 75% of agencies from various institutions understand and support the importance of provision and financing in vaccine research and development.

In terms of production capacity, the national industry already has a large enough capacity and is ready to be utilized at the national, regional and global levels. “Currently, we have several vaccine producers who are ready with their capacity and capabilities,” Himawan added.

It is hoped that this meeting will provide all stakeholders involved with an opportunity to learn about CEPI's agenda and priorities and to understand the epidemic preparedness agenda of research and development in Indonesia. In addition, it is hoped that there will be an increased understanding of national priorities and capabilities in vaccine research, development, manufacture and supply, as well as understanding participation in regional and global initiatives.

On the previous occasion, the CEPI delegation conducted a visit to the Bio Farma office in Jakarta and was received directly by the Board of Directors of PT Bio Farma. The visit was conducted to explain CEPI's activities to Bio Farma as well as CEPI's priorities and policy directions in the Southeast Asia/West Pacific region and to gain an understanding of Bio Farma's role in strengthening Indonesia's capacity for preparedness, response, and sustainability to the COVID-19 pandemic.