The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has encouraged stem cell research in the country by developing the capacity of human resources, research infrastructure, funding, and programs.

“BRIN’s role is to accelerate stem cell research and innovation in Indonesia by creating a research ecosystem that allows all stakeholders to grow,” Acting Head of the Biological Research Organization at BRIN Iman Hidayat noted in a statement here on Thursday.

According to Hidayat, innovations in the health sector would emerge when the stem cell research ecosystem for medicine is built and developed, and all stakeholders are facilitated.

Stem cells have been discussed since a decade as a future medical treatment.

However, the use of stem cell therapy in Indonesia is still low, and similarly, there is less development and research in the field.

Hidayat believes Indonesia still has the opportunity to strengthen its competitiveness in stem cell research.

Several challenges hinder the development of stem cell therapy research in Indonesia, including the high cost of stem cell therapy, as more than 95 percent of the raw materials are imported.

The readiness of hospitals and clinics to conduct stem cell therapy is still limited, and they are required to have stem cell banks, integrated research laboratories, and medical personnel on the field.

In addition, the cost of stem cell research is high, he pointed out.

Research in various institutions had yet to lead to applied research. Hence, it is necessary to accelerate research results through collaboration between researchers in various institutions.

To that end, BRIN has facilitated and provided funds and infrastructure to increase research and innovation in the country, including to foster capacity building in the field of stem cells in Indonesia.

BRIN has established a Health Research Organization, with seven research centers under it, to facilitate researchers in the health sector.

BRIN has also prepared Rp20 billion of funding for drugs and vaccines program, Rp20 billion for precision and regenerative medication, and Rp10 billion for infectious diseases.

BRIN also has funding of Rp350 billion allocated for clinical and preclinical trials.

Source: Antara News