SIRIM Bhd will work with the Institute of Medical Research (IMR), Universiti Putra Malaysia, and the Veterinary Research Institute in Ipoh for the initial stages of the development of Covid-19 vaccines in Malaysia, Sirim group president and group chief executive officer, Datuk Dr Ahmad Sabirin Arshad said.

Sabirin said Sirim has the capability to carry out testing for vaccines developed by the three agencies.

“Sirim is ready to play an important role of providing assurance in the development of local vaccines to comply with international standards for safety, efficacy and manufacturing process.

“It has held discussions with the IMR to also contribute in the development of the vaccine at the pre-clinical stage, and vaccine production on a pilot scale,” he said today.

Sabirin said Sirim also has the facilities to conduct vaccine testing at the Industrial Biotechnology Research Centre (IBRC), which had met the test laboratory requirements laid down by the National Pharmaceutical Regulatory Agency (NPRA).

“We have an IBRC facility in Sirim where we have comprehensive equipment for vaccine testing in the country, so we try to work collaboratively with all the agencies,” he said.

He said Sirim had previously carried out various stages of testing on the Sinovac vaccine to ensure that the final product was safe and effective for recipients.

Sabirin said the testing of the Sinovac vaccine entrusted to Sirim involved the need for complete facilities and a laboratory with Good Laboratory Practices status, where it produced data to support the verification process and quality inspection for the fill and finish of the vaccine.

“NPRA checks the data in detail before deciding to approve the vaccine or not,” he added. – Bernama, July 31, 2021.