Bandung (Antara Bali) - At least 106 researchers and experts will attend the 13th annual general Meeting of Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) in Bali, slated for October 31-November 2, 2012.
"We've already received confirmation from 106 participants that they will attend the event in Bali next week," Rahman Roestan, corporate secretary of Indonesian vaccine-maker Bio Farma, told newsmen here on Saturday.
Roestand said in addition to participants representing the 14 DCVMN member countries, the meeting will also feature presentations and discussions from vaccine experts and government officials from the United States, Europe. Latin America and U.N. bodies.
He noted that the list of speakers includes Dr. Kim Bush of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, whose speech is entitled `Programmes to Improve Global Health: Why and How, 'and Dr. Shanelle Hall of the UNICEF Supply Division, who is scheduled to speak on UNICEF's strategy for forecasting vaccine demands and working with countries and manufacturers.
Further, Indonesian top vaccine researcher, Dr. Mahendra Suhardono, will preside over a panel discussion featuring speakers Dr. Tjandra Yoga of the Indonesian Health Ministry's director general of communicable disease control, who will outline an initiative on global cooperation for responding to pandemic influenza.
Dr. Daniel Rodriguez of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will speak on the organization's cooperation mechanism for the joint procurement of vaccines, syringes, and related supplies used by participating member states.
Also, panelists representing leading Asian vaccine makers Butantan, Cadila, Biovac, Vabiotech, and Bharat will discuss ways to expand availability of influenza vaccinations in developing countries with Jan Hendriks of the Netherlands Vaccine Institute moderating the discussion.
In total, there are currently 37 vaccine-making manufacturers and members of the 14 DCVMN member countries. Indonesian vaccine-making company Bio Farma is the host of this year's general meeting.
The objective of 13th DCVMN general meeting refers to striving to increase the availability, and to improve the quality, of vaccines produced in developing countries.
Bio Farma President Director Iskandar said last Tuesday that the DCVMN is a strategic alliance of vaccine manufacturers in developing countries. Indonesia is a founding member of the vaccine network, which has membership in 14 countries.
According to Iskandar, since its establishment in Bandung, West Java in 1999, the DCVMN has achieved numerous milestones, particularly in providing high quality and affordable vaccines to populations in developing countries.
Further, the network seeks to promote consistent and sustainable supplies of quality vaccines at affordable prices, and combat infectious diseases, especially those in the developing world, by strengthening the capacity of vaccines and vaccine-related products.
It also encourages research and development efforts to meet the need for vaccines, and fosters production and delivery of high quality vaccines and other health technologies on a long-term basis for national immunization programs.
Iskandar pointed out that Bio Farma is the only vaccine manufacturer in Indonesia that has sought to become a leader in vaccine research as well as a development center, serving as a partner to research new vaccines in developing countries.
Member states of the DCVMN are Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Republic of China, Republic of Korea, South Africa, Thailand and Vietnam.
Member companies and organizations in DCVMN are Beijing Minhai Biotechnology, Bharat Biotech International Limited, Biological E. Limited, Bio-Manguinhos - Institute of Technology on Immunobiologicals, BioNet-Asia Co., Ltd., Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited, the Center for Genetic engineering and Biotechnology Chengda Liaoning, and China National Biotec Group (CNBG).
Other members include EuBiologics, Finlay Institute, Haffkine, Hualan Bio, Incepta Ltd., Indian Immunologicals Limited, Institute of Vaccines and Medical Biologicals, Instituto Butantan, National Administration of Laboratories and Institute of Health ANLIS Dr. Carlos G. Malbran.
Also, Panacea Biotec Ltd, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Bio Farma, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Serum Institute of India Ltd, Sinergium, Sinovac Biotech Ltd., SK Chemicals, Biovac Institute, Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 Vabiotech, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, the Holding Company for Biological Products & Vaccines (VACSERA), Tiantan, Walvax and Xiamen Innovax Biotech.(*/T007)
