FBiotechnology UGM – Master of Biotechnology study program at the UGM Postgraduate School again received the opportunity to have a guest lecture from PT. Kalbe Farma, Tbk represented by Dr. Harry Murti. He serves as Head of Process Development at the Stem Cell Processing Laboratory. Previously, he studied post-doctoral program at Hanyang Biomedical Research Institute, South Korea.
PT Kalbe Farma, Tbk is a pharmaceutical company that now has become healthcare. Some of the strategic business units owned are Pharma which is in charge of the production of over-the-counter drugs such as cold, diarrhea, and prescription drugs. In addition, there is Biopharma which is composed of several divisions such as eyecare, consumer health, logistics, and medical devices. Then there is Kalgen DNA which functions to provide diagnostic kits.
Dr. Harry Murti explained that Kalbe already has several branches abroad such as in Nigeria and Myanmar. The Head of Process Development at the Stem Cell Processing Laboratory explained that Kalbe continues to innovate and develop. Some forms of innovation and development that now have been carried out include stem cell processing, provision of diagnostic kits, making biosimilars such as proteins and erythropoietin, and clinical trials. Each of these developments is carried out by a separate unit. According to Dr. Harry Murti, innovation and development need to be carried out to face the various challenges of a rapidly developing era. One of Kalbe’s laboratories that have obtained permission from the Ministry of Health and BPOM is ReGenic.
The development of stem cells carried out by Kalbe is not new. Dr. Harry Murti explained that the main focus of Kalbe’s competence since 2006 has been to develop stem cells. Moreover, Kalbe is now developing reprogramming-based RNA technology on human primary fibroblasts in iPSC and supported by Hanyang University, Korea. Some of the products that have been done include amino acids, nucleic acids, vaccines, cells, and their derivatives. Specifically, in the field of cell development therapy, Dr. Harry Murti said Kalbe succeeded in making breakthroughs such as the use of stem cells, namely MSC, IPSC, Embryonic Stem Cells, and Neuron Stem Cells. Furthermore, the development of immune cells also continues to be carried out by producing NK cells, T-cells, and Dendritic cells. Biosimilar products that have been successfully developed are GCSF, erythropoietin, insulin, and monoclonal antibodies.
Reflecting on the rapid development of Biotechnology, Dr. Harry Murti revealed that career opportunities in the field of Biotechnology are still wide open. Some biotechnology career opportunities include research and development, operating services, and commercial operations. Moreover, Dr. Harry Murti emphasized that the field of Biotechnology is one of the fields that will not be replaced by robots or other Artificial Intelligence. According to him, there is a need for innovations regarding industrial integration with the field of biotechnology such as the application of the Internet of Things (IoT).
Writer : Buhairi Rifqa Moustafid