Vaccine development key to health sovereignty: BRIN

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has described vaccine development as essential to strengthening the country's health sovereignty, expressing hope that the University of Indonesia (UI)-Tsinghua University collaboration on an mRNA dengue vaccine will stimulate further domestic innovation.

BRIN Head Arif Satria said on Wednesday that the launch of the vaccine prototype represents more than a scientific milestone, serving as evidence of international collaboration, scientific excellence, and a shared commitment to strengthening national health resilience.

"Through this initiative, we want to strengthen Indonesia's capacity to develop vaccine technology domestically, accelerate its application, and build a resilient national innovation ecosystem," Satria said.

He added that BRIN is accelerating the development of next-generation vaccines against tuberculosis (TB), dengue, and influenza through interdisciplinary collaboration to advance scientific discoveries and innovation in the health sector.

BRIN also continues to work closely with the Health Ministry, the Food and Drug Authority (BPOM), the Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education (LPDP), industry, universities, and international partners to ensure that the vaccines being developed are safe, effective, and accessible to the public.

"The true measure of success is our ability to advance these promising prototypes through preclinical studies, rigorous clinical trials, industrial-scale production, and ensure that these innovative vaccines reach the people who need them most," Satria said.

He expressed hope that the launch of the vaccine prototype would encourage greater investment in research and development while fostering broader collaboration, enabling Indonesia to realize its ambition of becoming a trusted contributor to global vaccine innovation.

"Vaccine development is not merely the achievement of a single laboratory or institution," he said.

According to Satria, vaccine development is the culmination of an integrated innovation ecosystem in which basic research, advanced technology, clinical science, manufacturing capacity, strong regulation, sustainable funding, and international collaboration come together to address one of society's most pressing health challenges.

Related news: UI and Tsinghua join forces to strengthen elite university ties

Related news: Rl, ASEAN to boost vaccine ecosystem, prepare against future pandemic

Translator: Mecca, Kenzu

Editor: Primayanti

Copyright © ANTARA 2026