The collaboration between the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (Biotech), the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), and the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi (KMUTT) has led to the establishment of a pilot plant for biopharmaceutical production. This collaboration includes the participation of a panel of experts from the National Objects (NBF). The project involves Thai-UK researchers working on a cooperative research initiative to develop biotechnology-based biological products and vaccines.
Additionally, representatives from the Faculty of Media visited the laboratory to observe advanced research processes, ranging from lab-scale to pilot-scale, to apply them in commercial applications. This initiative aims to foster the growth of the country’s biopharmaceutical industry by supporting the development of human potential, knowledge, and advanced production technology.
The KMUTT executives, led by Dr Kanyawim Kiratikorn, Senior Vice President for Research and Innovation, and Assoc Chanthasenawong, Vice President for Internationalisation Development, are actively involved in this collaborative effort, along with a team of biotech researchers from KMUTT, based at KMUTT Bang Khun Thian.
Dr Warinthorn Songkasiri, the Director of the Biochemical Engineering and Systems Biology Research Group at Biotech NSTDA, emphasised the significance and necessity of establishing collaborative efforts to support the creation of pilot factories to produce biomaterials and valuable substances within the country. Recognising the potential challenges in the research pipeline for biotherapeutic medicines (Biopharmaceuticals), which encompass drugs manufactured through biotechnological processes for human trials and commercialisation, the Biotech NSTDA, in partnership with KMUTT, established the National Biopharmaceutical Facility (NBF) in 2008, situated at KMUTT Bang Khun Thian.
“Biotech has been consistently engaged in research and development at the National Biological Medicine Pilot Plant or NBF. We have already established various platforms at the laboratory level for biomaterials and vaccine production,” explained Dr Warinthorn.
Additionally, this research analyses the BPCL laboratory, which provides protein and genetic analysis services. We have already produced a virus cell bank for diseases endemic in Thailand, such as PEDV and PRRS, at this pilot plant.
Assistant Professor Dr Lalithip Horcharoen, a researcher at the National Biopharmaceutical Pilot Plant at KMUTT, explained that the NBF is equipped with advanced instruments and laboratories for the analysis of biotherapeutics and vaccines, catering to a range of analytical requirements, including sequence analysis of genetic material and proteins.
He reported progress in the Thai-UK vaccine development project, specifically for the candidate vaccine against Porcine Circovirus type 2d (PCV2d) in pigs. The project has successfully created a prototype vaccine that stimulates targeted immunity against PCV2 and generates neutralising antibodies, reducing viral infection in cell systems. However, due to space constraints, large-scale vaccine production is currently not feasible in Thailand.
To overcome this challenge, the NBF has collaborated with University College London (UCL) to develop a production process and scale it up to 30 litres. This collaboration has successfully produced up to 200,000 doses of the PCV2d candidate vaccine per 30-litre production cycle. The project is currently undergoing testing in pigs, and the results will be consulted with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to explore opportunities for registering domestically-produced vaccines for animals in the future.
Assistant Professor Dr Lalithip emphasised the ongoing efforts and collaboration in advancing vaccine development and seeking regulatory approval, highlighting the goal of securing domestically-produced vaccines for animals in Thailand.
The visit to the national biopharmaceutical prototype factory highlighted the importance of research support for the biopharmaceutical industry in Thailand. The delegation toured three units: the Bioprocess Research and Innovation Center (BRIC) for scaling up, the Biopharmaceutical Characterization Laboratory (BPCL) for drug analysis, and the National Biological Drug Manufacturing Model Building for production. These visits showcased the government’s commitment to advancing the industry and ensuring safe and effective biological drugs.
