BioNet-Asia’s Research & Development Center The First GMP Pilot Vaccine Production Facility in Thailand

Wednesday 07 November 2007 14:39
Bangkok--7 Nov--BrandComm Consultants
BioNet-Asia’s Research & Development Center The First GMP Pilot Vaccine Production Facility in Thailand Development of new Acellular Pertussis Vaccine
BioNet-Asia Co., Ltd. announces the first state-of-the-art GMP vaccine facility for development and production at pilot scale of bacterial vaccines in Thailand with an investment of over 300 million baht. The center is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2008. BioNet-Asia intends to develop innovative vaccines with in-house technologies such as acellular pertussis vaccine. The project is a major step in positioning Thailand as a potential biotechnology hub in ASEAN, supporting the government policy.
BioNet-Asia Co., Ltd. was first established in Thailand in 2001 as an international vaccine consulting company providing business and technical services to vaccine manufacturers in emerging countries. International and local executives have joined the company bringing decades of experience and a broader expertise in vaccines and biologicals. BioNet—Asia also relies upon its vaccine network of international consultants, academics and distributors to promote the development, manufacture and distribution of vaccines.
Mr. Vitoon Vonghangool, Managing Director of BioNet-Asia, said, “BioNet has been providing technical support to its Biotechnology Network for a few years but has also access to new technologies for different vaccines. BioNet now aims at developing vaccines directly and proposing technology transfer and joint-development. We would like to share our vision and expertise with our partners in the development, production and supply of a broad portfolio of conventional and innovative vaccines. That is why we are starting the construction of the first state-of-the-art GMP vaccine facility for development and production at pilot scale of bacterial vaccines in Thailand. BioNet is now moving forward as a global development and marketing vaccine company able to propose joint-development to vaccine manufacturers and scientific organizations.”
BioNet-Asia has selected Thailand to setup its first R&D vaccine pilot plant as the biotechnology sector is now considered as a priority industry by the Thai government and because of its well-known vaccine research in diseases such as Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue and Rabies. In addition, a suitable economic environment, good communications, logistics and support infrastructure and, most importantly, well trained technicians, scientists, MD's, clinicians and engineers are all required to initiate the development of innovative vaccines.
Dr. PHAM Hong Thai, Director, Business Development of BioNet-Asia said, “We plan to invest more than 300 million baht in the coming years for our R&D Center and its initial development program. We shall also apply for the Thai Board of Investment certificate to get BOI privileges as BOI has promoted the biotechnology industry as a new business category, corresponding to the country’s national biotechnology policy. The start up of our R&D Center in Thailand can be seen as one the first steps in positioning Thailand as a potential biotechnology hub in ASEAN.”
The 2,000 sqm R&D Center is located near Ayutthaya in the Hi-Tech Industrial Estate. It will comprise of the R&D headquarters, the quality control laboratories and the R&D GMP facility for the development of bacterial vaccines. The Bio Safety Level 2+ facility is equipped with fermentation and purification units. A pilot scale filling unit is also included for clinical batches.
BioNet-Asia intends to develop innovative vaccines with in-house technologies in collaboration with Thai academics and Asian vaccine manufacturers. For example, the current R&D program is made in collaboration with Mahidol University, one of the most prestigious universities in Thailand.
Dr. Jean Petre, Scientific and Technical Director of BioNet-Asia said “The first goal of the BioNet R&D Center will be the development of a new Acellular Pertussis Vaccine”.
Acellular Vaccines are now used for their better safety profile only in Western Europe, North America, Japan and Korea. When they were industrially developed, the World Health Organization (WHO) judged their cost prohibitive. There were no plans for general introduction worldwide. Now, the situation is changing. Using the most recent technology, there is the potential of supplying Acellular Vaccines at an affordable cost. WHO is inviting vaccine manufacturers in the emerging countries to undertake Acellular Vaccine projects with a view to their universal use.
“Through our collaboration with Mahidol University, we are working at creating a recombinant B. pertussis strain for this production, using up-to-date recombinant DNA techniques. Our undertaking in the BioNet R&D Center will create value to Thailand and a service to the WHO's Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI). Thailand will benefit from a sustainable hi-tech value.”, added Dr. Petre
“I strongly believe that the public and private sectors should collaborate more closely and share their expertise in the biotechnology field. Indeed, several vaccines are currently under development worldwide through public private partnerships (PPP). Hence, BioNet plans to build some fruitful collaboration in the research and development of future vaccines in this Center through PPP with Thai and foreign public organizations for example in the field of Japanese Encephalitis Vaccine, Dengue, Influenza and Pneumococcus vaccines.”, concluded Dr. Pham
“In addition, the future collaborations with different Thai institutions will enhance the knowledge base in vaccines and biotechnology in Thailand, a pre-requisite for the development and production of innovative vaccines. This will benefit Thailand not only for improved access to innovative and affordable vaccines but also in terms of sustainable development of human resources, technology and know-how”, concluded Mr. Vitoon.
For more information, please contact:
BrandComm Consultants Co., Ltd. BioNet—Asia Co., Ltd.
Pailin Buranamittranond Jittaporn Wattanaseree
Patcharee Lae-Ya / Saovarin Thongtud Tel. 02 673 9137 -8 Fax. 02 673 9140
Tel. 02 645 0171 (32 lines) Fax. 02 645 0170 E-mail: [email protected]