RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is accelerating the development of infectious disease drug candidates from the country's biodiversity to strengthen pharmaceutical independence.

The initiative was highlighted during the International Symposium on Drug Discovery and Development on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, which promotes international collaboration to speed up research on anti-infectious medicines.

BRIN Deputy for Research and Innovation Facilitation Agus Haryono said infectious diseases remain a global challenge due to growing antimicrobial resistance.

“Indonesia continues to struggle with pharmaceutical independence, as more than 90 percent of raw materials and active ingredients are still imported. Yet the country’s vast biodiversity offers immense potential as a source of new drug compounds,” Agus said in a statement on Wednesday, August 5, as quoted on BRIN's official website.

To address this, BRIN is collaborating with partners from Japan and Malaysia through the Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS), supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED).

The collaboration has produced promising drug candidates for dengue, tuberculosis, amoebiasis, and malaria while improving Indonesian researchers' capabilities through training and technology exchange.

"Going forward, BRIN will continue strengthening the development pathway for drug candidates toward preclinical studies, clinical evaluation, and partnerships with industry," Agus added.

University of Malaya Project Director Yeun-Mun Choo emphasized that international collaboration is essential to address infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. "Drug development is a long and complex process that requires a strong scientific foundation, advanced technologies, and sustainable international partnerships," he said. ***