BANDUNG, Indonesia, October 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Through PT Bio Farma (Persero), Indonesia has played a strategic and sustained role in the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN), working to ensure equitable access to safe, high-quality and affordable vaccines. Since the creation of the DCVMN in 2000, Bio Farma has played a key role in advancing vaccine self-sufficiency and public health capacity in developing countries.
The collaboration between Bio Farma and DCVMN has been established since the creation of the network. At the first annual general meeting of the DCVMN in Noordwijk in 2000, Bio Farma was one of ten founding members dedicated to advancing vaccine collaboration. In April 2001, Bio Farma in Bandung hosted the 2nd AGM, during which the network formalized the structure and governance of the DCVMN. Chaired by then-President Director Thamrin Poeloengan, the meeting established Indonesia as a hub for vaccine collaboration and knowledge sharing among developing countries.
Shadiq Akasya, current president and director of Bio Farma, said the company’s participation in the DCVMN reflects Indonesia’s commitment to contributing to global health beyond national interests.
“Bio Farma’s involvement in the DCVMN since its inception is not only a matter of representation, but also a tangible contribution to global vaccine self-sufficiency. Through collaboration and innovation, we are committed to providing equitable and sustainable health solutions for all,” said Shadiq.
“We believe that the true strength of the developing countries’ vaccine industry lies in collaboration. Through our active role in the DCVMN, we aim to ensure that every nation has access to safe, high-quality and affordable vaccines, a true manifestation of Indonesia’s contribution to global health security,” he added.
In 2004, Bio Farma, along with other DCVMN members, played a critical role in expanding access to the pentavalent vaccine (DPT-HepB-Hib) through a technology transfer collaboration with the Netherlands Vaccine Institute. This achievement demonstrates that Bio Farma’s contributions within the DCVMN network are not symbolic but deeply technical and practical.
Global trust in Bio Farma has continued to grow. In 2012, Indonesia again hosted the 13th DCVMN AGM in Bali. Mahendra Suhardono, one of the directors of Bio Farma at the time, was elected chairman of the executive committee for the 2013-2014 term.
Indonesia’s leadership was further recognized when Bio Farma was entrusted with the presidency of the DCVMN Board of Directors for the period 2023-2025, acting as a bridge between network members and global strategic priorities, while demonstrating Indonesia’s ability to lead the vaccine industry in developing countries.
Bio Farma’s commitment to innovation goes far beyond collaboration. In 2020, its nOPV2 vaccine became the first to receive emergency use listing from the World Health Organization, enabling faster deployment of vaccines during global health emergencies. This achievement reflects not only Bio Farma’s scientific and technical excellence, but also effective coordination and communication among multiple international stakeholders, including funders, scientists, academic researchers, policymakers, global vaccine advocates, and vaccine manufacturers. Such collaboration enabled the rapid development, approval and deployment of nOPV2 at a critical time for global public health.
This milestone demonstrated that a manufacturer from a developing country can achieve world-class innovation, meeting the highest international standards of safety, quality and effectiveness recognized by WHO. Beyond being a scientific breakthrough, nOPV2 represents technological autonomy and global confidence in Indonesia’s ability to contribute significantly to international health security. Bio Farma’s success serves as an inspiration to all DCVMN members to continue to strengthen their research, development and production capabilities with the goal of achieving vaccine self-sufficiency and global health resilience in developing countries.
With a production capacity of more than 3.5 billion doses per year, Bio Farma supplies vaccines to more than 150 countries and holds WHO prequalification certification for 12 types of vaccines. As the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) center of excellence in vaccine development, production and distribution, Bio Farma continues to strengthen Indonesia’s strategic role in the global health landscape.
The upcoming 26th Annual General Assembly of DCVMN, to be held in Bali from October 29 to 31, 2025, marks an important moment for Indonesia to reaffirm its leadership in global health diplomacy. Through this forum, Bio Farma is committed to advancing vaccine innovation, collaboration and autonomy worldwide, towards a more resilient and equitable global health ecosystem.
About DCVMN
The Developing Country Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) is a global alliance of 46 vaccine manufacturers from 17 developing countries, established in 2000 to strengthen public health through equitable access to high-quality vaccines.
DCVMN promotes collaboration among its members through advocacy, capacity building, professional training and joint research initiatives, aimed at improving global immunization programs.
Working closely with international organizations such as WHO, UNICEF, GAVI, CEPI, PATH, CHAI and the Gates Foundation, DCVMN works to ensure that every country has the capacity to produce and deliver affordable and life-saving vaccines. For more information, please visit dcvmn.org.
About BioFarma
PT Bio Farma (Persero) is Indonesia’s state-owned life sciences company and the largest vaccine manufacturer in Southeast Asia.
Founded in 1890 and headquartered in Bandung, Bio Farma produces and supplies vaccines to more than 150 countries, while playing an active role in biotechnology research, innovation and global health security.
As a member of DCVMN, Bio Farma continues to contribute to international collaboration to ensure equitable access to vaccines and better global public health. For more information, please visit www.biofarma.co.id.
Contact us
PT Bio Farma (Perséro)
Corporate communications
Jl. Pastor n°28 Bandung,
West Java Indonesia 40161
Website: www.biofarma.co.id
E-mail: corcom@biofarma.co.id
DCVMN
Route de Crassier, 7
CH-1262 Nyon
Swiss
Website: dcvmn.org
E-mail: info@dcvmn.net
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