Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine Host Signing Ceremony with Biofarma and Indonesian Delegation in Attendance

HOUSTON, TX – (September 21, 2021) – A large delegation of Indonesian government officials, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vice Minister of State Own Enterprise, Vice Minister of Health, Head of National Agency of Drug and Food Control, Ambassador (Designate), and Consul General of Indonesia, gathered in Houston to witness a signing ceremony of multiple agreements between the Indonesian pharmaceutical company BioFarma, represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Honesti Basyir, together with BCM Ventures, Baylor College of Medicine’s integrated commercialization team, to license the COVID-19 vaccine technology for the production of “A People’s Vaccine,” created and engineered by Texas Children’s Hospital Center for Vaccine Development.

Speaking to the gathered dignitaries, Dan DiPrisco, Executive Vice President of Texas Children’s Hospital, highlighted the urgent need for a safe, streamlined, low-cost vaccine to aid in the world’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. He remarked that the partnership with BioFarma marks an important step in realizing the goal of global vaccination. The COVID-19 vaccine technology behind “A People’s Vaccine” represents the best chance of delivering a safe, effective, scalable vaccine to the world.

This COVID-19 vaccine technology relies on a conventional production platform that has been in use for decades in vaccines such as the ones against hepatitis B and HPV, so it can be easily and quickly produced in existing manufacturing facilities around the world at a very low cost. The vaccine platform also relies on regular cold-chain management, making its delivery suitable to reach remote and rural populations.

“We’re profoundly excited to embark on this collaboration,” said Dr. Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development. “It has an important purpose, to vaccinate Indonesia, one of the world’s largest nations. But even beyond this important mission is the prospect of expanding these activities across Southeast Asia, and ultimately all of the world’s OIC Muslim majority countries.”

“This signing ceremony is very important for our vaccine center,”  said Dr. Maria Elena Bottazzi, Associate Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor and Co-Director of the Texas Children’s Center for Vaccine Development. “It is an opportunity for our scientists to share knowledge and contribute to building stronger vaccine development capacity in Indonesia.”

About Texas Children’s Hospital

Texas Children’s Hospital, a not-for-profit health care organization, is committed to creating a healthier future for children and women throughout the global community by leading in patient care, education and research. Consistently ranked as the best children’s hospital in Texas, and among the top in the nation, Texas Children’s has garnered widespread recognition for its expertise and breakthroughs in pediatric and women’s health. The hospital includes the Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute; the Feigin Tower for pediatric research; Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, a comprehensive obstetrics/gynecology facility focusing on high-risk births; Texas Children’s Hospital West Campus, a community hospital in suburban West Houston; and Texas Children’s Hospital The Woodlands, the first hospital devoted to children’s care for communities north of Houston. The organization also created Texas Children’s Health Plan, the nation’s first HMO for children; has the largest pediatric primary care network in the country, Texas Children’s Pediatrics; Texas Children’s Urgent Care clinics that specialize in after-hours care tailored specifically for children; and a global health program that’s channeling care to children and women all over the world. Texas Children’s Hospital is affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine. For more information, go to www.texaschildrens.org. Get the latest news by visiting the online newsroom and Twitter at twitter.com/texaschildrens.