Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is collaborating with the University of Malaya, Malaysia, as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development, Japan, in conducting research on drugs for infectious diseases.
The collaboration was formed within the framework of the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (Satreps) project in an effort to develop drugs, especially for malaria, amebiasis, dengue, and tuberculosis (TB).
Deputy for Research and Innovation Facilitation at BRIN Agus Haryono, through a statement in Jakarta, Tuesday, revealed health problems in Indonesia, especially related to infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and dengue fever.
"Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral infection, continues to affect millions of Indonesians, putting a strain on our health care system. Given the limited treatment options available today, the need for new drugs and therapies is becoming increasingly urgent," he said.
He said Indonesia has a strategic role in drug development research, thanks to its wealth of biological resources.