Thailand set to launch clinical trials this year on its future Covid-19 vaccine

With Thailand set to launch clinical trials this year on its future coronavirus vaccine, the Ministry of Public Health will request permission from the cabinet for a 3-billion-baht budget to finance the country's vaccine production and technology transfer.

Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the minister of Public Health and also Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister, chaired a meeting this week to address the creation of the COVID-19 vaccines in Thailand.

The conference was attended by officials and experts from the Department of Medical Sciences, the National Vaccine Institute (NVI), state departments, colleges, and private firms to share opinions and knowledge regarding ongoing studies into a COVID-19 vaccine.

Mr. Anutin said the government is working with several industries to promote the production of COVID-19 vaccines. It recently accepted a 1-billion-baht expenditure to finance the function of the NVI and to instigate a transition of technology for the country's vaccine. Besides, the Ministry of Public Health will request cabinet approval for a 3 billion baht budget to fund continuing research and production of the COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr. Nakorn Premsri, the NVI chief, said that two forms of vaccines are being produced to fight COVID-19. They are virus-like particle (VLP) vaccines, produced by the Siriraj Hospital Faculty of Medicine, and subunit vaccines established by the Chulalongkorn University Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Hopefully, some vaccine forms will show activation of the immune system of vaccinated organisms.

The experience and technologies can be passed to the Government Pharmaceutical Agency (GPO), ensuring that the vaccines used in clinical trials fulfill the standards of good industrial practice (GMP). The department frequently partners with the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) to create a killed vaccine utilizing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV 2) genetically modified and influenza viruses. 

The department frequently partners with the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) to create a killed vaccine utilizing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS COV 2) genetically modified and influenza viruses.  They'll be used to manufacture more vaccinations if effective. This year, or early 2021, the outcomes of the vaccine innovations should be published. 

Source: NNT