Opportunities
for
Biotech Research in Thailand
- by Charles Runckel
The Government of Thailand considers the biotechnology sector an
important opportunity for the Thai economy. This focus was driven
by a domestic need for biotechnology products as well as a goal to be
competitive in this field. The biotech sector in Thailand has
received substantial R&D funding from the government to develop a
support infrastructure for researchers and to promote foreign
investment in Thailand. Thai research focuses on agriculture,
food-handling and tropical diseases, including malaria and dengue fever.
Centers to Support the Biotechnology
Sector in Thailand
1. National Centre for Biotechnology (BIOTEC)
Like other countries in the region, Thailand’s bioresearch sector
has been developed in the last twenty years as a result of government
backing. BIOTEC was the first group established for this purpose
and was established under the Ministry for Science, Technology and
Energy
in 1983 and is now under the umbrella of the
National Science and
Technology
Development Agency (NSTDA).
BIOTEC provides resources for the country to develop the critical
mass of researchers necessary to achieve Thailand's national R&D
requirements in biotechnology. BIOTEC allocates approximately 70% of
its R&D budget to universities and research institutes; the
remaining 30% is used for in-house research projects. About 7.4
billion baht (USD$185 million) was allocated for research work under
the 2004 fiscal budget to such agencies as the Agriculture Ministry,
the Public Health Ministry and the Education Ministry.
BIOTEC also has specialized laboratories at the following universities:
• Kasetsart University (Plant Genetic
Engineering Unit, DNA Fingerprinting Unit, and the Bioservice Unit,
which provides biomolecular resources for researchers from both the
public and private sectors)
• Mahidol University (Microbial Genetic
Engineering Unit and Medical Biotechnology Center at Siriraj Hospital)
• Chulalongkorn University (Marine
Biotechnology Laboratory)
• King Mongkut's University of Technology
(Biochemical Engineering and Pilot Plant Unit)
There are industry links between private companies and local
institutes, often on a consortium basis. BIOTEC has links to the
Environmental Technology Club and the Fermentation Industry Consortium,
Mahidol University is collaborating with the Soya Sauce Industry
Consortium, and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Thonburi has
links with the Algal Production Industry and a consortium interested in
anaerobic treatment of agro-industrial waste.
Following EU regulations on GMO labeling, there has been a tremendous
increase in demand for testing raw food materials and food products
from the private sector in Thailand. As the only facility in the
country capable of testing for GMO content, BIOTEC is running at full
capacity in response to this huge demand.
For more information on NSTDA: http://www.nstda.or.th/english/
For more information on BIOTECH: http://www.biotech.or.th
2. Thailand Science Park (TSP):
The 80-acre Science Park is located in Rangsit, 20km from Bangkok
and was built with an initial investment of $175 million. TSP provides
main laboratories, incubator units, pilot plants, greenhouses and
accommodations as well as financial, management and legal support for
NSTDA, BIOTEC and
private customers. Its main objective is to develop the
capability
for conducting research, development and engineering in the area of
genetic
engineering and biotechnology. The TSP offers long-term leases of
land for construction and ready made wet-lab space for rent, which is
scarce
in the United States.
For more information on the Science Park: http://www.nstda.or.th/sciencepark
3. Private Companies and Research Institutions Active in Biotechnology
R&D in Thailand
Government support for scientific entrepreneurs is in place with the
NSTDA Investment Center (NIC) and the Venture Capital Fund of the
Department of Industrial Promotion offering potential investment
support to start-ups. Other parties, who are receptive to such
investments, include the Nomura JAFCO Capital Co Ltd, which makes deals
of approximately 10 million baht ($250,000).
Specialized Fields of Biotechnology
Animal related biotechnology
Thai researchers are active in the area of animal biotechnology.
Programs for the development of animal health/diagnostic products and
animal production techniques are the focus. Completed research projects
include the Dairy Cow Program (improved breeding programs and feed
regimes) and a DNA fingerprinting facility (for the identification of
genetic markers for production and the detection of disease traits in
livestock).
Research in Thailand in this field is in the initial stages and much
more effort will be needed, including imported technology and
expertise, to reach the advanced stage necessary before results can be
applied commercially, however Thailand has already benefited from the
successful use of animal biotechnology to breed disease resistant
prawns estimated to have saved the economy over $1 billion.
Plant related biotechnology
Projects in this field aim to improve crop yields, protect agricultural
crops from diseases and pests, improve post harvest handling and
diversify products. Projects in Thailand include the Rice
Biotechnology Program (breeding disease resistance strains of rice),
the Bio-control Program
(bio-insecticides and herbicides), Food processing (baking, brewing and
production of traditional foods in Thailand), and Cassava and Starch
Technology.
Microorganisms
Thailand’s research on microorganisms focuses on combating tropical
diseases and improving food handling. Bacteria are being modified
to kill mosquito larvae or infect the mosquitoes themselves to fight
malaria. Food handling focuses on local foods, including cassava
and shrimp, and works to both extend the shelf life of food and
inexpensively detect spoilage.
The Research Environment
Research Regulations
Thailand lacks any laws concerning laboratory research and has few
guidelines. The Thai government does not place any restrictions
on
producing any transgenic organism, as long as biosafety guidelines are
followed. Similarly, there are no restrictions on embryonic stem
cell
research or human cloning beyond safety concerns, although the Thai
government
has created a group to spread public awareness on biotech issues,
including
these, and formulate public policy regarding these topics.
Nothing
beyond a materials transfer agreement is required for the transfer of
human
DNA and Thailand has no regulations regarding the treatment of
laboratory
animals, although there are national guidelines for the humane
treatment
of animals. Despite the lack of national regulations, most
universities
or research institutes have committees that set local regulations on
the
mentioned topics.
Testing genetically modified organisms for commercial
use
The current regulatory system is based on the National Biosafety
Committee’s (NBC) Bio-safety Guidelines but is not law. With the
exception of several laws that have been interpreted to apply to the
biotech sector, the NBC is unable to impose penalties for
violators. Such laws include the 1964 Plant Quarantine Act, which
is used to prevent the unauthorized import of transgenic crops.
The importation of transgenic crops into Thailand requires the approval
of the Director-General of the Department of Agriculture, who relies on
the NBC for its recommendations. Approval for testing a product
in the field requires similar approval and typically takes 1-2
years.
Currently companies are required to acquire their own land and to take
measures
to protect the local ecosystem (usually greenhouses or netted fields)
although the Rockefeller Foundation plans to build a central station
that will act as a center for testing transgenic materials in Thailand
with pre-built greenhouses and netted fields for both public and
private researchers. While Thailand’s regulatory situation, or
lack thereof, is still quite burdensome for biotech companies seeking
to import GM crops, the government is taking measures to streamline
their procedures.
Food and Drug Agency regulations
Thailand's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an agency within the
Ministry of Health, is responsible for monitoring the quality of
domestic and imported biological products. A full description of the
FDA regulations and how they pertain to American exporters can be
obtained from the US
Embassy in Bangkok.
Intellectual property protection
Patents granted by the Thai Patent Office are valid for up to 20 years
and The Thai Patent Act of 1979 now extends patent protection to
pharmaceutical products. Methods for the production of transgenic
animals, plants and microorganisms can also be patented, as can the
organisms themselves as long as a discernable new function or trait can
be documented.
Lab Space and Labor Costs:
The main motivator to do research in Thailand is the nation’s low
land and labor costs. Despite the price, however, both the
quality
of construction and the skill of Thai lab technicians are high and
capable of maintaining the standards of research found in the United
States. BIOTEC offers plots of land for long-term lease and
construction as well as ready-made, rentable lab space. BIOTEC
lab space, including lab benches, electricity, air conditioning and
water averages $1.50 per sq ft/month.
Lab hardware and chemicals are all imported with a 5% duty. Live
specimens face a 10% duty, with hazardous or exotic specimens
undergoing quarantine by the Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry
of Public Health. The average salary for a BIOTEC researcher with
a PhD is $750-$1500 a month, $450-$500 a month for a master’s degree
and $225-$300 a month for a bachelor’s degree technician.
Conclusion
Thailand, while relatively new to biotechnology, has proven itself to
be a stable and hospitable location for foreign investment in the
past. The Thai government has shown long-term interest in making
Thailand a major biotech research location and has developed the
necessary infrastructure to support private researchers establishing
facilities in Thailand. With modern and low-priced facilities,
and an educated but affordable workforce, Thailand has the potential to
be a prime destination for scientists seeking lower costs while
maintaining the high research standards found in Western countries.
For further information on biotechnology in Thailand,
contact us.
Opportunities for Biotech Research in Thailand