Yogyakarta, August 15, 2025 — The Faculty of Pharmacy, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), welcomed a visit from PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia, a leading biopharmaceutical company, as a follow-up to the recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties. The visit aimed to strengthen strategic collaboration in advancing Indonesia’s biopharmaceutical industry, to accelerate the transfer of knowledge and technology.
The meeting took place at the 8th-floor Auditorium of the APSLC Building, Faculty of Pharmacy UGM, and was attended by leaders and researchers from both institutions. From UGM, attendees included the Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Dr. apt. Satibi, M.Si.; Prof. Dr. apt. Nanang Munif Yasin, M.Pharm.; Prof. Dr.rer.nat. apt. Endang Lukitaningsih, M.Si.; Prof. Dr.rer.nat. apt. Adam Hermawan, M.Sc.; Prof. Dr. apt. Arief Nurrochmad, M.Si., M.Sc.; and apt. Muhammad Novrizal Abdi Sahid, M.Eng., Ph.D. Also present were Dr. Tri Rini Nuringtyas, M.Sc. from UGM’s Graduate School, and Prof. Dr. Yekti Asih Purwestri, S.Si., M.Si. from UGM’s Center for Biotechnology Studies.
From PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia, the delegation was led by President Director Nathan Tirtana, accompanied by Head of Corporate Relations Andreas Donny Prakasa and Etana Innovation Center Manager Christian Karol Saputra, an alumnus of the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy.
The event opened with a warm welcome from Prof. Satibi, who expressed appreciation for PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia’s commitment to deepening the partnership. “We hope this collaboration will accelerate the transfer of knowledge and technology in the biopharmaceutical field, enabling Indonesia to catch up with developed nations,” he remarked.
Prof. Nanang Fakhrudin then delivered a comprehensive presentation on the Faculty of Pharmacy’s research profile and potential, followed by a presentation from Nathan Tirtana outlining PT Etana Biotechnologies Indonesia’s vision and mission. The discussions explored opportunities for deeper cooperation, including research and development (R&D) initiatives, industrial internships for students, and the potential commercialization of research outputs.
This strategic partnership aligns with several key points of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It directly supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being by advancing the development and production of high-quality, affordable, and accessible biotechnology-based medicines and vaccines. It also contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education by offering students practical industry experience that bridges the gap between theory and practice. The initiative furthers SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure by promoting innovative research and technological development in the biopharmaceutical sector. Lastly, it embodies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering a strong alliance between academia and the private sector to achieve broader development objectives.
This collaboration is expected to generate significant benefits for both parties and create a broader positive impact on the advancement of science, education, and public health in Indonesia.
