How TCELS is Moving Thailand’s Biotech Industries From Local to Global

The Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) plays an important role in shaping the landscape of Thailand’s biotechnology industry, spearheading initiatives that drive innovation and competitiveness in the sector. Despite the progress made, the Thai biotech industry faces several challenges, including regulatory hurdles, dependency on imported therapies, and the need for enhanced collaboration between local entrepreneurs and global markets. In an exclusive interview with Dr. Jittiporn Thammajinda, CEO of TCELS, she addresses these concerns and outlines a strategic vision for transforming Thailand’s biotech ecosystem. Dr. Thammajinda emphasizes the importance of fostering innovation management, enhancing business capabilities, and leveraging Thailand’s rich biodiversity to develop natural products that meet international standards. Her insights shed light on how TCELS is committed to propelling the nation toward a more self-sufficient and globally integrated biotechnology industry.

Thailand’s Biotech Globalization Driven by Raw Material Exports and Natural Products in the Cosmetic Sector

Southeast and East Asia is poised to rank third globally for projected pharmaceutical sales in 2024, with an anticipated value of USD 232 billion. As a key player in this region, Thailand’s pharmaceutical industry has experienced significant growth, establishing itself as one of the leading biopharma clusters. This is evident in its robust public R&D spending, a high number of patents, an increasing rate of initial public offerings (IPOs), and a flourishing ecosystem of companies and job opportunities. These factors collectively position Thailand as a prominent hub for pharmaceutical innovation and development.

Dr. Jittiporn Thammajinda, CEO of TCELS, a public organization, emphasized significant shifts in industry focus compared to the previous year. While 2023 concentrated on localizing Thailand’s pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmeceutical sectors, 2024 marks a strategic pivot toward globalization. Key development areas include expanding international collaborations and enhancing Thailand’s role in the global market. This effort is underscored by an increase in Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) aimed at boosting Thailand’s raw material exports, particularly in the cosmetic sector. 

A key focus for TCELS is harnessing Thailand’s rich biodiversity to develop high-quality natural products, particularly in the cosmetic sector. Dr. Thammajinda highlighted the country’s abundant herbal plants and the importance of collaborating with research institutes and international partners to enhance product standards. “We aim to organize clusters in Thailand to raise the standards of natural extracts, ensuring they meet global requirements,” she stated. This initiative not only connects Thai enterprises with international markets, such as the Cosmetic Valley in France, but also involves partnerships with organizations like the Thai Food and Drug Administration (Thai FDA) and overseas regulatory bodies to create a robust system that can compete on a global scale.

Supporting Thai Entrepreneurs’ Global Competitiveness through Innovation Management and Business Capability Development

With its abundant natural resources, Thailand is prioritizing the support of local businesses to enhance their presence on the global stage. This year’s initiatives focus on boosting the competitiveness of Thai entrepreneurs in the medical and life sciences sectors through targeted strategies such as increasing investment in research and development, facilitating partnerships with international organizations, and enhancing access to advanced technologies. TCELS aims to provide training programs for entrepreneurs to improve their skills, streamline regulatory processes to expedite product approvals, and foster collaboration between local startups and established firms. 

In a significant shift from 2023, TCELS has focused on two primary areas: innovation management and business capability development. These initiatives aim to elevate the quality of Thai medical and natural products, aligning them with global standards. “We’re working intensively to help Thai entrepreneurs build competitive knowledge for the global market,” Dr. Thammajinda stated. She emphasized that the best-performing entrepreneurs will participate in international roadshows, including the prestigious Cosmetic 360 event in France, further expanding Thailand’s medical and health innovation footprint.

A key focus in 2024 is supporting local entrepreneurs in developing health-focused products that meet global demand. Dr. Thammajinda highlighted the success of standout companies in TCELS’ program, such as a firm specializing in high-quality lotus extracts known for their therapeutic properties in skincare and medical products, which have garnered interest from global cosmetics giants. “Our goal is to help these entrepreneurs scale their production, improve quality, and connect them with international investors,” Dr. Thammajinda added. This collaborative effort is designed to support the growth of Thai entrepreneurs in the global medical and cosmetic industries, contributing to the country’s long-term health and economic sustainability.

Universal Health Coverage Accessibility is Crucial for Expanding Access to Advanced Medical Technology

A crucial aspect of TCELS’ 2024 initiatives is leveraging universal health coverage to improve healthcare access and equity in Thailand. Dr. Thammajinda outlined how TCELS is collaborating closely with government entities, such as the National Health Security Office (NHSO), to ensure that advanced medical technologies are accessible to the Thai population. The organization is focused on medical innovations addressing pressing healthcare challenges, including stroke treatment and nanotechnology for neurological conditions. Efforts are underway to align advanced medical technologies with international health standards, ensuring that Thai citizens benefit from enhanced universal health coverage.

“We are working with both domestic and global partners to develop new technologies that enhance treatment outcomes, particularly for critical health conditions,” Dr. Thammajinda said. By linking these innovations to Thailand’s universal healthcare system, TCELS aims to ensure that cutting-edge treatments are accessible to all citizens, thereby improving the overall quality of healthcare.

GeneOnline interviewed Dr. Jittiporn Thammajinda (left), CEO of the Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS), at Bio Asia Pacific in Bangkok this September.

Industry Drivers and Market Focus: Localized Precision Medicine, and Oncology Developments as Key Sectors of Interest

Thailand currently positions itself to advance in precision medicine and oncology. The proactive government stance drives this progress alongside emerging technologies. The Thai government recognizes the urgent need to reduce reliance on imported cancer therapies. It specifically targets advanced methods like CAR-T cell therapy and gene therapy. Consequently, the government provides substantial grants and funding to young entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators. This investment speeds up the development of domestic solutions. They understand that people cannot wait another 10 years for effective cancer treatments.

Ongoing policy initiatives play a pivotal role in enhancing Thailand’s biopharmaceutical landscape. The government’s strategy includes an “outbound-inbound mechanism” to explore and acquire new technologies from abroad. This approach fosters local innovation by identifying suitable entrepreneurs. Moreover, it transfers intellectual property to develop homegrown therapies. Thus, Thailand can alleviate its reliance on imports and strengthen its domestic industry.

However, challenges persist in this journey. As experts point out, “the regulations are very difficult.” Sometimes, the technology moves faster than the laws. This situation highlights regulatory challenges that hinder progress in developing domestic oncology therapies. Therefore, a more adaptable legislative framework is essential. Addressing these regulatory hurdles creates a conducive environment for innovation.

Furthermore, strategic partnerships are crucial for driving industry advancements. “We can develop a strategy together without needing to calculate the ROI for the first year.” This focus encourages building long-term partnerships over immediate financial returns. By fostering collaborative efforts, Thailand aims to attract investment and technological expertise from global partners. Ultimately, this enhances its domestic capabilities in precision medicine and oncology.

Thailand enhances its biotechnology and precision medicine sectors through policy initiatives. It fosters partnerships and funds local innovations to develop effective domestic therapies. The country aims to meet patient needs while creating a collaborative, adaptable regulatory framework within its healthcare system.

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Bernice Lottering