Virus spread Corona or COVID-19 makes this pathogen a global health emergency or Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). In response to this, the Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology (LBM) is ready to develop an antiviral vaccine Corona in Indonesia.
LBM Eijkman research coordinator, Frilasita Aisyah Yudhaputri, M.BiomedSc stated, through a molecular approach, LBM Eijkman was able to detect the presence of the COVID-19 virus in clinical samples. This is done by the method pancoronavirus RT-PCR (real time polymerase chain reaction).
"LBM Eijkman has a laboratory that is certified in handling high-risk pathogens (biosafety laboratories level 2 and 3). This facility is also supported by tools Next Generation Sequencing and internationally recognized bioinformatics analysis," said Frilasita at a health seminar in Jakarta on Wednesday (12/2/2020).
On the same occasion, Deputy Head of the LBM Eijkman Translational Research, Prof. Dr. dr. David H Muljono, SpPD, FINASIM, PhD, explained that LBM Eijkman plans to develop an early-stage Corona antiviral vaccine. One of them by utilizing natural ingredients that exist in Indonesia.
"We will conduct trials on the development of native Indonesian herbal medicines that can increase body immunity, such as curcumin and others, for the prevention of viruses, including the Corona virus. Development can work in collaboration with biopharma and trials in teaching hospitals," said David when display material.
Despite having adequate facilities, David stated that LBM Eijkman still needs more information about antigen, which is a substance that stimulates the immune response to produce antibodies, in order to develop the antiviral vaccine.
“We have had informal communication with several related parties to make vaccines coronavirus. What is clear is that collaboration between research institutions is needed so that research can be faster and more accurate. For the next, we will see the progress, "said David.
