ETANA AND UNIVERSITY OF INDONESIA COLLABORATE IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BIOTECHNOLOGY-BASED DRUGS
Jakarta, 4 August 2021 – PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana) and the University of Indonesia (UI) have established a strategic partnership for the Research and Development of Biotechnology-Based Drugs which is expected to contribute to the advancement of the health industry ecosystem in Indonesia. Through this collaboration, Etana and UI are committed to conducting research, developing human resources, and developing biotechnology-based drugs, which can be produced and marketed on an industrial scale. This is done to support government programs in the health sector and to create national health resilience.
Nathan Tirtana, President Director of PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia said “Etana as a health company will continue to conduct research and development of products, especially medicines based on biotechnology. We noticed that the collaboration with the University of Indonesia is a good synergy between industry and academia in preparing competent human resources in the field of biotechnology to develop and produce biological products. We hope that this collaboration can produce biotechnology-based drugs that can benefit the health industry in an effort to improve the health of the Indonesian people.”
Prof. Ari Kuncoro, SE., MA., Ph.D, Rector of the University of Indonesia said "The collaboration between UI and Etana is the first step in forming a strategic partnership in developing human resources at the University of Indonesia to become more competent in the field of health, especially biotechnology. We hope that the results of the research and development being done shall provide benefits for the development of health industry in Indonesia. Thus far, various researches have been carried out at UI, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, to assist the government in dealing with various problems and impacts due to the disease."
Biotechnology has developed so rapidly, especially in developed countries. This technology allows humans to obtain healing for genetic and chronic diseases that cannot be cured, such as cancer. "We hope that through cooperation in the field of modern biotechnology with Etana, we will produce products that are beneficial to many people," said Prof. Ari.
The cooperation agreement was signed by Drg. Nurtami Ph.D., Sp. OF(K) representing UI, and President Director of Etana, Nathan Tirtana, in Jakarta on July 19, 2021. The Cooperation Agreement is covering several things, i.e. conducting discussions and exchanging information related to the development of biotechnology in the field of medicine; research collaboration, human resource development and development of biotechnology-based drugs by utilizing the resources owned by both parties, including the implementation of clinical trials and training; strive for research and development results so that they can be developed and produced on an industrial scale and market them, including the development of new products; and provide opportunities for Etana employees to be able to participate in educational programs organized by UI.
Biotechnology has been developing in Indonesia for quite some time, such as in the manufacture of tempeh and oncom, but modern biotechnology was developed when the Minister of Education and Culture allowed the emergence of Biotechnology programs (1985) in several universities. The government's aim in this program is to increase research in the field of biotechnology and expand biotechnology networks at national and international levels, for human welfare.
Etana at a glance
PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia (Etana) was established in 2015 and is a biotechnology company in Indonesia that focuses on the production and marketing of biological drugs in the oncology field for the Southeast Asian market. Etana is currently marketing EPO (Erythropoietin) in Indonesia for the treatment of anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Etana has biotechnology production facilities that meet international standards and BPOM. Etana's production facilities have the capability to produce biosimilar/biology sterile solutions with PFS injection packaging.