Kalbe Farma Tbk PT : Develops Stem Cell and Cancer Research

Jakarta, 6 January 2016 - PT Kalbe Farma Tbk (Kalbe)
today through Stem Cell and Cancer Institute (SCI) received the visit of the Minister of Research Technology and Higher Education (Ristekdikti) Prof Mohamad Nasir PhD.Ak and the National Research Board chaired by Dr. Ir Bambang Setiadi MS as well as holding a discussion with Dr. Boenjamin Setiawan as founder of Kalbe with SCI Researchers on the development of stem cell and cancer research. At the same time, Minister of Ristekdikti Mohamad Nasir also visited laboratory facilities belonging to SCI in Jakarta.

'Kalbe believes and encourages innovation efforts that will benefit the society, ' said Irawati Setiady, President Director of PT Kalbe Farma Tbk in her speech on Kalbe's commitment in developing the innovation and research in Indonesia. 'Kalbe collaborates with a number of research centers, government, academics and the private sectors both domestic and international in developing innovation and knowledge,' Irawati added.

'Research is important for the advancement of a country, that it needs to get major attention from all parties, specifically the government,' said Boenjamin Setiawan, founder of Kalbe as well as founder of SCI. 'Support from the Government is needed such as increasing the research fund or providing Double Tax Deduction for industries that conduct research activities.'

At the same time, Director of SCI, Sandy Qlintang stated that SCI will continue its commitment to perform translational stem cell and cancer research that will benefit the greater population to increase their living quality for the better. 'The challenges faced by researchers of the private sectors are provision of research fund, provision of research material, and reliance on raw materials that are still imported,' Sandy added.

At present, SCI is developing the research in the fields of CELL THERAPY (Regenerative Medicine dan Anti Aging), GENETICALLY MODIFIED STEM CELL (Cancer Treatment and Drug Delivery / Vehicle ), Nanochitosan-Placenta, Stem Cell Conditioned Media, KALSTEM MEDIA (In House Stem Cell Media).

In cancer research, what SCI is developing are Innovative Molecular Dx Development (Cervical and lung cancer early detection system), Cancer Immunotherapy: Drug Selection Personalized Medicine, Monitoring Cancer Recurrence resistance.

Since its establishment in 2006, SCI is actively involved in the research of umbilical cord matrix as new source of mesechymal stem cell, whereas its research will become the basis for further effort to view clinical aspects for cardiovascular diseases' therapy or other degenerative illnesses. In the cancer research fields, SCI is focusing its efforts in the studies of lung and breast cancer.

In 2009, SCI established Kalbe Genomics (KalGen), a sophisticated molecular diagnostic laboratory that is the first in Indonesia, to provide the services of a patient's cancer cell's genetics to determine the right and on-target medication. Kalgen has managed to develop 70 method of examination of breast cancer genes, that is marketed with the brand Mammaprint , as approach that has been proven to determine the most appropriate chemotherapy for breast cancer patients.

Regenerative and Cellular Therapy (ReGeniC) was established in 2010 to provide services of clinical stem cell processing for the purposes of therapy of a number of illnesses. ReGeniC is focusing on therapy for osteoarthritis, a type of illness caused by the damage or loss of cartilage as cushion between bones, specifically in the knees.

In 2013, SCI Laboratory obtained the operational permits from the Ministry of Health of Indonesa for its stem cell development laboratory ReGeniC that becomes the first laboratory in Indonesia that received the license to develop stem cell for the treatments of osteoarthritis and myocardial infract. In 2014, SCI also obtained the GMP certificate for Allogenic Stem Cell product from the Food and Drugs Supervisory Body (Badan POM).

At present the composition of research manpower in SCIconsists of 18.5% Doctorate degree (S3), 26% Master degree (S2), and the rest with Bachelor degree(S1). In performing the research processes SCI conducts collaboration with a number of research facilities and published its research results.

Kalbe at a glance
PT Kalbe Farma Tbk ('Kalbe') is established in 1966 and is one of the biggest listed pharmaceutical company in Southeast Asia. Kalbe has four main divisions that handles its reliable and diverse portofolio; prescription drugs division (Cefspan, Brainact, Broadced, etc.); over the counter medications (Woods, Promag, Mixagrip, Komix, Fatigon, etc.) and health drinks (Hydro Coco, Extra Joss, Nitros); nutrition division (Chil Kid, Prenagen, Diabetasol, etc.); and distribution division. Kalbe now owns more than 20 subsidiaries, 9 production facilities with international standard, and employs more than 17,000 employees, that are dispersed through more than 65 branches throughout Indonesia. Since 1991, Kalbe is listed in the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX:KLBF).

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