Fourth Asian Conference on Biotechnology and Development February 12-13, 2009, Kathmandu, Nepal Overview of Biotechnology in Thailand By Pichet Itkor February 13, 2009 Kathmandu, Nepal
1. Thailand at a Glance Classified - Internal use
Thailand: Facts and Figures Total Area: Water: Land: 514,000 sq.km. 2,230 sq.km. 511,770 sq.km. Land Use: Arable Land: 30 % Permanent Crops: 6 % Others: 64 % Irrigated Land: 47,490 sq.km.
Thailand: Facts and Figures Population: Total Labor Force: 65.4 million 36.3 million Labor Force by Occupation Agriculture 43 % Services 40 % Industries 17 %
Thailand: Economic Growth GDP 2006 (~ 5.2 billion baht) Composition by Sector Agriculture: 9 % Services: 55 % Industries: 36 %
Thailand: Economic Review 2004 2005 2006 2007 Total export value [%] 100 100 100 100 Agriculture [%] 11 9 10 10 Agro industries [%] 7 6 6 5
Thailand: Economic Review Agriculture and Food Sector The 14 th largest world agricultural and food exporter or the 5 th largest exporter when all European countries were counted as single community (2004) Rice, rubber tree and cassava are the top three crops grown in Thailand.
Thailand: Economic Review Health Care and Pharmaceuticals Sector Thailand had 171 modern medicinal manufacturers, 132 factories received Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Dosage formulation Repackage of imported pharmaceuticals 271 Herbal Medicinal Manufacturers, 4 factories are GMP granted.
2. Thailand National Policy on Biotechnology Development
National Biotechnology Policy National Biotechnology Committee formed in 2003: chaired by the Prime Minister Cabinet approved Biotech Policy in 2004 6 Goals aimed at supporting country s key industries Time frame: 6 years (2004 2009)
6 National Goals for Biotechnology Vision Government Policy 1. Competitiveness 2. Poverty and Economic Goals Technology Condition 1.new business investment more than 100 companies 2. world kitchen export value 1.2 billion Income Distribution 3. health center healthy society/ asian health center 4. envi/ clean energy 3 Social Capital envi care / energy security Development 4. Sustainable Development...Social/Environment 5.self sufficient economy biodiversity conservation & valued added 6. human resource development 5,000 professional researchers R&D, Technology Acquisition,Knowledge Stock,Technology Transfer,... Genome Proteomics DNA Technology DNA chip Genetic Engineering Bioinformatics Nanobiotechnology Supporting Condition Infrastructure HR and Education Ethical, Legal, Social Implications (ELSI) Entrepreneurial environment eg biopark 5,000 professional researchers IPR access to benefit sharing bioethics public concern biosafety
Goal No.1 New Bio Business venture capital for bio-business Foreign policy in expanding market to neighboring countries Biotechnology Park Government measures to promote investment in bio-technology R&D Investment from abroad Tax incentives and other privileges 20 modern biotech. companies Set up provincial biotechnology parks partnership with neighboring countries in biobusiness SMEs become strong and have linkages with large companies Fortify biobusiness in service sector Bio-technology companies listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand Emergence and development of new bio- business 100 new biotechnology companies Investment in R&D reaches over 5 billion Baht in value 200% increase in biotechrelated patents 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Achievement of Goal No 1 > 40 new biotech startups > 60 existing bio based companies investing in R&D using biotechnology > 20 foreign biotech companies investing in Thailand Biotechnology Business Promotion BOI Brochure BIO2006 Chicago; BIO2007 Boston Bio opportunities Thailand Biotech Guide
Thailand : Investment Promotion in Biotechnology Industry BOI offers promotional privileges to the biotech industry as a new business category, corresponding to the country s national biotech policy and encouraging more investment in the industry s R&D and manufacturing activities. Current promoted area: Using biotechnology in the seed industry, plant and animal improvement Biopharmaceutical agents using biotechnology [drugs, vaccines and therapeutic proteins] Diagnostics for diseases screening, biosensor and gene chips Biomolecules and bioactive compounds using microbes, plants and animal cells [enzyme, MAb, recombinant protein]
Incentives BOI BIOTECH & STI (Skill Technology and Innovation) incentive package and tax exemption incentive Exemption of corporate income tax for 8 years Import Tax exemption for machines, equipment and materials for R&D Accelerated depreciation of machinery and equipment Work permit and visa for foreign researchers and experts Allowance for foreign ownership Revenue Department 200% deduction of research expenses
First BioPark in Thailand Expansion from Thailand Science Park, covering the area of 124,000 sq. m. To be completed in 2009 with BSL 3 facility, additional incubator space
Science Park Organization National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology National Metal and Materials Technology Center National Electronics and Computer Technology Center Technology Management Center National Nanotechnology Center
Positioning of NSTDA A Bridge between knowledge institutions and industries Universities NSTDA Industry Basic R&d Applied R&D Development r&d
Facilities Available at Thailand Science Park Main Office Pilot Plant Convention Center Multi tenant Incubator Building Greenhouse
Thailand Science Park (HUB for R&D) Total Area: 80 acres Building Area: 20 buildings planned (>200,000 sqm.) Offering: Incubators, Multi tenant Buildings, Land for Lease High speed internet, ISDN, Video conferencing, etc. Access to labs, equipments, technicians Pool of specialists & researchers Housing: 4 National Research Centers + Technology Management Center Tenants ~ 50 Companies (2006)
Facilities Support Incubator Area Small areas available for rent to start up companies or small projects Low cost of doing R&D Excellent Facilities made affordable Corporate Facilities Multi tenant Buildings for rent High bandwidth connectivity for internet and networking, electronic library, video conference Conference, Exhibition and Training Centers Pilot plants, Green house, Design Service Center Long term Leased Land For large companies and multi national corporations who can construct their own R&D facilities.
Support Technology Diffusion Financial Support Grants Soft loans Investment Facilities Support Science Park Software Park Technical Support Information service Training Testing & analytical services Industrial consultancy Technology acquisition Intellectual property service Commercialization of S & T Contract research To enable firms to acquire use modify develop technology
3. Biotechnology Networking in Thailand
Stakeholders in Biotech Network Granting Agency Scientific/ Professional Association Regulators Innovation/ Know how Research Institutes/ University Laboratories Entrepreneurs/ Manufacturers Research theme/ Grant Research Grant Investment Incentive Privilege Industries Association Products/ Service Customers/ Consumer Association Claim/ Customer need
Thai Society for Biotechnology <TSB> Rationale/History The Biotechnology Club was firstly formed among researchers in the field of Biotechnology since 1988. The annual scientific meeting in Biotechnology was firstly organized in 1989, hosted by Kasetsart University. The meeting aimed for an opportunity of information exchange regarding the advancement of biotechnology research in the country among universities lecturers and researchers from both governmental agencies and private sectors. Thai Society for Biotechnology (TSB) was officially established in 1991
Thai Society for Biotechnology <TSB> Mission TSB will facilitate the collaboration among researchers who develop technologies and private sectors who use the technologies in the area of biotechnology for the highest benefit of the nation.
Thai Society for Biotechnology <TSB> Organization TSB Chairman (Election) Executive Committee (14 persons; 9 by election and 5 appointed by Chairman) <Term of service is 3 year> Biotechnology Industry Consortium (BIC) Working Committee: 5 person <Term of service is 2 year>
BIC Activities Round Table Discussion Researchers, Manufacturers, BIC members Actual Problems in Industries Granting Agencies Manufacturers Research Grant Training, Seminar, or Workshop Collaborative Research
Summary Approaching the biotechnology national goal, several stakeholders, namely researchers, granting agencies, manufacturers, regulators, consumers and scientific/industry associations, are playing important roles Scientific/industry associations are taking a very important role of establishing bridges where researchers, manufacturers and regulators can communicate and head to the right direction. Nevertheless, consumers and society are always the most important party. Reaching their satisfactions are our ultimate goal of success.