On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, the Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Indonesia (FPH UI), further solidified its role as a pioneer in technology-based public health research by establishing a strategic partnership with PT PathGen Diagnostik Teknologi, a biomolecular research company focused on developing precision medicine-based diagnostic technology in Indonesia. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed directly by the Dean of FPH UI, Prof. dr. Mondastri Korib Sudaryo, M.S., D.Sc., at the Health Sciences Cluster Building A, UI Depok Campus, and was attended by the leadership teams of both institutions.
In her opening remarks, Prof. Mondastri expressed appreciation for the collaboration. “This is a significant moment for FPH UI and PathGen as it opens up opportunities for developing research and innovations that are increasingly relevant to public health issues. We are very grateful to PathGen for their willingness to become a strategic partner,” said Prof. Mondastri. She also emphasized the importance of building multi-stakeholder collaborations to strengthen research capacity. PathGen’s research areas closely align with public health, and FPH UI continues to pursue partnerships with institutions such as BRIN and I3L to build a more impactful and application-oriented research ecosystem.
Dr. Prio Wibisono, Chief Business Officer of PT PathGen Diagnostik Teknologi, introduced PathGen as a startup that originated from the University of Glasgow and has grown into an innovative molecular diagnostics research company. PT PathGen Diagnostik Teknologi focuses on providing affordable molecular diagnostic solutions, particularly for non-communicable diseases such as cancer. “Beginning as a collaborative initiative with the University of Glasgow, PathGen now develops four key pillars: cancer diagnostic and screening services, clinical services, AI-powered digital pathology, and academic research support,” explained Dr. Prio.
Through advanced technologies such as multiomics, CRISPR, and digital pathology, PathGen is committed to democratizing access to precision medicine in low- and middle-income countries, including Indonesia. The company also actively bridges collaboration between academics, hospitals, industries, and government to drive innovation and strengthen the application of biomolecular research. The partnership with FPH UI will focus primarily on enhancing research capacity. “We aim to ensure that academic research in Indonesia is translated into practical and impactful solutions,” added Dr. Prio.
Sulthan Rafii, S.Si., Marketing and Project Management Officer at PathGen, noted that informal collaborations with FPH UI have been underway for some time. One such collaboration includes a joint study with Prof. Doni Hikmat Ramdan, S.K.M., M.K.K.K., Ph.D., FPH UI’s Manager of Research and Community Engagement, on the impact of acute dehydration in workers exposed to extreme heat, using a genomic approach to identify gene mutations involved in fluid and ion transport. PathGen is also involved in AI-driven research such as posture-monitoring applications, and molecular studies on stunting through DNA analysis from saliva samples. “We hope to identify molecular markers as early predictors of stunting risk, enabling faster and more targeted interventions,” said Sulthan.
Going forward, FPH UI and PathGen plan to hold public lectures and seminars in both online and offline formats. Dr. Ir. Asih Setiarini, M.Sc., Vice Dean for Education, Research, and Student Affairs at FPH UI, stated that the faculty has 10 research centers and numerous study programs that are highly supportive of collaborative research. “We have an ongoing online seminar forum that can serve as a platform for knowledge exchange with PathGen. Hopefully, this marks the beginning of many impactful collaborations,” she said.
Commenting on future collaborative opportunities, Dr. Zakianis, S.K.M., M.K.M., Head of the Environmental Health Department at FPH UI, shared his thoughts on using AI to predict waste generation and composition in specific areas, based on population size and environmental variables. He noted that this approach could greatly enhance the accuracy and efficiency of waste management planning—provided that complete data is available to support its implementation. He expressed hope that this collaboration will also lead to further research in data- and technology-driven environmental health.
Other FPH UI leadership members present at the event included Dr. Laila Fitria, S.K.M., M.K.M. (Education Manager) and Abdul Kadir, S.K.M., M.Sc. (Undergraduate Program Head for Occupational Health and Safety). From PathGen, attendees included Nindya Indah Damayanti, S.Farm. (Head of Director Office), Nur Prasetya Mulya (Management Administrative Officer), and Randi Alexander P., Amd.A.K. (Marketing Officer).
Through this partnership, FPH UI and PathGen aim to advance the development of applied biotechnology-based public health research and expand the real-world impact of innovation across policy-making and public service delivery. (DFD)