17 Organizations Signed the MOU for the Thailand Synthetic Biology Consortium, the first collaborative network to promote synthetic biology innovation and industry in Thailand.

The Innovation Institute for Industry (III) Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) established the “Thailand Synthetic Biology Consortium” as a collaborative network to promote synthetic biology innovation and industrial technology in the country, aligned with government’s National Industrial Development Master Plan under the BCG Economic Model for sustainable competitiveness. The initial phase of the consortium includes the National Innovation Agency (NIA), the Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO), and BBGI Public Company Limited.

The event marks an important step created linkages and a consortium between state agencies, the private sector, and education sector, which are critical parties in promoting the strategic plan to develop the development of a Synthetic Biology Ecosystem in Thailand.

Today’s online MOU signing ceremony for the Thailand Synthetic Biology Consortium between 17 partners, brings together the country’s leading organizations who play an important role in promoting the synthetic biology industry in Thailand, namely

• Office of National Higher Education Science Research and Innovation Policy Council (NXPO)
• National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) with the Eastern Economic Corridor of Innovation (EECi)
• Federation of Thai Industries with the Innovation Institute for Industries (III)
• National Innovation Agency (NIA)
• Chulalongkorn University
• Naresuan University
• Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology
• Rajamangala University of Technology Thanyaburi
• Kasetsart University
• Maejo University
• Suranaree University of Technology
• Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited
• BBGI Public Company Limited
• Thai Union Group Public Company Limited
• BETAGRO Public Company Limited
• Bio Buddy Company Limited
• Tastebud Company Limited

During the morning session, Dr. Ajikumar Parayil, CEO and Founder at Manus Bio Inc., the leader in the high-value bio-based products from the United States, shared his perspective and approach to global development of synthetic biology technology that science can potentially reduce the time and increase the product yield of biotechnology, such as raw materials for the production of food, medicine, or other products, allowing for greater yields in less amount of time. Furthermore, synthetic biology production technology also allows for the dissemination of raw material production, allowing for global production, and most importantly helps reduce the exploitation of natural resources and its adverse environmental effects.

Dr. Costus Vavistus, manager of SINERGY Consortium, the consortium for synthetic biology in Singapore, discussed the prospects of Singapore becoming the Global Bioeconomy Hub that important driver promoting synthetic biology in Singapore is the Public-Private Partnership from the beginning of collaboration to mutual assistance of competitive advantage, whereby the private sector has the expertise in conducting business and understanding the market, while the public sector supports research and development, creating a bio-foundry (basic infrastructure for sequencing and synthesis), facilitating the necessary resources, policies, and ultimately funding.

Furthermore, the Consortium was honored by Chaiwat Kovavisarach, President and Chief Executive Officer at Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited who congratulated the signing of the MOU and supports it future opportunities to expand to promote the synthetic biology industry in the country.

Thailand has the eighth highest biodiversity in the world, the highest in Southeast Asia, with agricultural fertility, making it well-suited for high-value biological innovation. The cooperation of all sectors in developing and promoting the synthetic biology industry can proved valuable to other industries, able improve the entire Thai industrial system, and sustainably enhance Thai competitiveness.