Indofarma Strengthens Biodiversity Downstreaming Through Technology and Research
This potential needs to be explored through scientific research, technological innovation and close collaboration between universities, research institutions and industry.
Jakarta (ANTARA) – PT Indofarma (Persero) Tbk (INAF) is strengthening the downstreaming of biodiversity into natural medicine ingredients and products through technological innovation and research collaboration with various partners.
Indofarma President Director Sahat Sihombing said Indonesia’s natural wealth needed to be explored more systematically through sustained research and collaboration between industry, universities and research institutions.
“Indonesia has been endowed with extraordinary biodiversity, including various plants that could be developed as ingredients for natural medicines. This potential needs to be explored through scientific research, technological innovation and close collaboration between universities, research institutions and industry,” Sahat said in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Sahat said the challenge was not only to identify the potential of natural ingredients, but also to ensure that research findings could be developed into products that were safe, high-quality and efficacious, complied with regulations, and generated economic value for Indonesia.
To support the downstreaming of research, Indofarma has natural-ingredient extraction capacity and traditional-medicine production facilities certified under Good Traditional Medicine Manufacturing Practices (CPOTB), Sahat said.
He added that these capabilities were an important foundation for processing natural ingredients, from extraction through to the development of finished products in the form of jamu and, subject to development and registration requirements, standardised herbal medicines and phytopharmaceuticals.
“We hope that the readiness of these industrial facilities will bridge research findings and product development processes that meet quality standards and regulatory requirements,” Sahat said.
Indofarma has signed a memorandum of understanding with PT Danantara Development Management Fund, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB), and PT EBM Saintifik dan Teknologi to explore cooperation on the downstreaming of research into medicinal plants with high economic potential.
Sahat said he hoped the cooperation would provide a basis for the parties to work together to develop research findings, assess processing technologies, and explore funding and investment opportunities.
It would also encourage the development of natural-based products through to commercialisation, in line with each party’s authority and capabilities.
Sahat also called on all stakeholders to redefine the future of global healthcare through the strength of Indonesian natural medicines.