The Merah Putih vaccine developed by Universitas Airlangga research team has been officially named Inavac by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo. The vaccine was developed under collaboration between UNAIR and PT Biotis Pharmaceutical Indonesia.
The final stage of human clinical trials is currently at phase 3 and has been ongoing since June 27. Phase 3 clinical trials were carried out after obtaining permission from the Indonesian Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM).
UNAIR Rector Prof. Dr. Mohammad Nasih, S.E., M.T., Ak. revealed that in phase 3 clinical trials, the Inavac vaccine was injected to 5,000 volunteer subjects. Prof. Nasih also confirmed that it is still ongoing. In the near future, vaccine clinical trials for boosters will be conducted.
“The process for phase three is still ongoing. Alhamdulillah, indeed. We are very grateful for the outstanding support from BPOM in the development of this vaccine,” he said on Saturday, August 27, 2022.
Multi-Parties Support
The process of Inavac vaccine development, which has reached the final stage of clinical trials, brought pride to the Governor of East Java, Khofifah Indar Parawansa. She said she was proud of UNAIR for making a significant contribution to protect the health of the Indonesian people, and even the world.
Meanwhile, President Joko Widodo is targeting the Inavac vaccine to be ready for mass production and distribution in East Java after September 2022. The East Java Provincial Government targets that by the end of the month the Inavac vaccine would have completed trials and received an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) following the international standards by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Previously, the Inavac vaccine had gone through phase 1 clinical trials on February 8, 2022 with 90 volunteer subjects. Then. Phase 2 clinical trials on March 27, 2022, with 405 volunteer subjects.
The president has named two Indonesian-made COVID-19 vaccines. The Merah Putih vaccine was named Inavac, while the vaccine made by State-Owned Enterprise (BUMN) was named Indovac.
“I am proud of Indonesia. Indovac, the first vaccine, is for the BUMN vaccine. And the second, Merah Putih vaccine with an inactivated virus platform, is called Inavac. The President has also approved it,” said the Head of the Food and Drug Supervisory Agency (BPOM RI), Penny K Lukito in Jakarta, Friday, on August 26, 2022. (*)