On 4 February 2022, NSTDA and PPT Public Company Limited announced a new partnership in medical devices research and innovation. The collaboration is line with the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) national agenda aiming to promote Thailand’s key strategic sectors, one of which is the medical devices industry.

The press conference was chaired by Prof. Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), and witnessed by honorable guests comprising Prof. Dr. Pairash Thajchayapong, Chairman of BCG Sub Committee on Medical Devices and Prof. Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, MHESI Permanent Secretary. Representing the two organizations were NSTDA President Dr. Narong Sirilertworakul and PTT Chief New Business and Infrastructure Officer Mr. Noppadol Pinsupa.

In his remarks, Minister Anek stated that the medical devices industry is one of the key sectors to be addressed by the BCG model. The government hopes to turn Thailand into a medical hub by 2027 by enabling Thai industry to manufacture medical equipment with high performance and meeting international standards. The drive will not only answer to the shortage of medical devices the country is facing due to the pandemic, but also support the healthcare need of growing share of aging population in Thailand.

Two projects have already been identified under the NSTDA-PTT partnership – a technology transfer of hydroxyapatite-titanium dioxide composite coating solution and a research collaboration on implant devices.

The hydroxyapatite-titanium dioxide composite coating solution is deigned for coating hydroxyapatite-titanium dioxide composites on face masks to provide antimicrobial properties. The technology which was developed by NSTDA’s Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Research Center (A-MED) and MTEC has been employed to manufacture Safie Plus face mask that offers 99% viral filtration efficiency and 99% protection from PM2.5. To date, A-MED has manufactured and distributed more than 300,000 Safie Plus masks to public hospitals, field hospitals and government organizations to help curb the COVID-19 transmission. This technology will bolster the business of Innopolymed Company Limited, a PPT joint venture manufacturing non-woven fabric for face masks, PPEs and air filters with a 5,000-ton annual production capacity.

The research and innovation collaboration on implant devices will combine the strength of A-MED in medical device development with the expertise of PTT in polymer science to design medical implants such as cranial implants based on specialized plastics.