Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.bangkokpost.com/220608_News/22Jun2008_news03.php
Chinese deal called off in race to beat bird flu
WHO offers funding and expertise to set up vaccine plant
By Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Thailand has given up on a deal to transfer technology from Chinese experts and develop a bird flu vaccine production plant to prepare the country in the event of an outbreak of the virus.
Withit Artavatkun, managing director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), said the agency had decided to hire experts recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) instead of working with its Chinese counterpart, the China National Biotech Group, in the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant here.
''The cell-based technology now used by the group is patented by a Japan-based firm and Thailand cannot reach a deal with its Chinese counterpart and the owner of the technology to manufacture a bird flu vaccine without permission,'' said Dr Withit.
In 2006, the previous government under prime minister Surayud Chulanont decided to start a joint venture with China because the firm was willing to transfer technology to Thailand.
Dr Withit said the agency is now focusing on egg-based technology to develop a bird flu vaccine. Thailand has been granted US$2 million (68 million baht) in funding by the WHO towards setting up a plant at Silpakorn University in Nakhon Pathom.
Results so far from the egg technology are promising, as scientists have developed one dose of bird flu vaccine per 0.6-0.7 chicken egg. Clinical trials of bird flu vaccine in humans are also in progress.
The vaccine factory for industrial-scale manufacturing is under construction in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district, but will not be completed for at least another three years.
The 600-million-baht plant is expected to have enough capacity for the entire Thai population if a pandemic occurs.
The Public Health Ministry has estimated that at least 15 million Thais would contract the lethal virus in the event of an outbreak.
Thailand currently administers about 200,000 doses of influenza vaccine a year. The country plans to increase the influenza vaccine stockpile to two million doses in preparation for a possible flu pandemic, which could happen if the H5N1 bird flu virus mixes with the human influenza virus and becomes more virulent.
When the plant is built, more people could be vaccinated against flu, which would also help reduce the possibility of contracting the H5N1 virus, Dr Withit said.
Supamit Choonsuthiwat, a senior medical officer in charge of preparing for a bird flu outbreak, said the ministry would be undertaking a national plan for handling bird flu by next month in order to prepare for any possible outbreak.
Five bird flu outbreaks have occurred since it first surfaced in January 2004, killing more than 60 million fowls and 17 of 25 infected humans. The latest outbreak was reported in Nakhon Sawan and Phichit in late January.
The Livestock Development Department last month declared Thailand free of bird flu after three months passed without any new reports of the virus breaking out.
Chinese deal called off in race to beat bird flu
WHO offers funding and expertise to set up vaccine plant
By Apiradee Treerutkuarkul
Thailand has given up on a deal to transfer technology from Chinese experts and develop a bird flu vaccine production plant to prepare the country in the event of an outbreak of the virus.
Withit Artavatkun, managing director of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation (GPO), said the agency had decided to hire experts recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) instead of working with its Chinese counterpart, the China National Biotech Group, in the construction of a vaccine manufacturing plant here.
''The cell-based technology now used by the group is patented by a Japan-based firm and Thailand cannot reach a deal with its Chinese counterpart and the owner of the technology to manufacture a bird flu vaccine without permission,'' said Dr Withit.
In 2006, the previous government under prime minister Surayud Chulanont decided to start a joint venture with China because the firm was willing to transfer technology to Thailand.
Dr Withit said the agency is now focusing on egg-based technology to develop a bird flu vaccine. Thailand has been granted US$2 million (68 million baht) in funding by the WHO towards setting up a plant at Silpakorn University in Nakhon Pathom.
Results so far from the egg technology are promising, as scientists have developed one dose of bird flu vaccine per 0.6-0.7 chicken egg. Clinical trials of bird flu vaccine in humans are also in progress.
The vaccine factory for industrial-scale manufacturing is under construction in Saraburi's Kaeng Khoi district, but will not be completed for at least another three years.
The 600-million-baht plant is expected to have enough capacity for the entire Thai population if a pandemic occurs.
The Public Health Ministry has estimated that at least 15 million Thais would contract the lethal virus in the event of an outbreak.
Thailand currently administers about 200,000 doses of influenza vaccine a year. The country plans to increase the influenza vaccine stockpile to two million doses in preparation for a possible flu pandemic, which could happen if the H5N1 bird flu virus mixes with the human influenza virus and becomes more virulent.
When the plant is built, more people could be vaccinated against flu, which would also help reduce the possibility of contracting the H5N1 virus, Dr Withit said.
Supamit Choonsuthiwat, a senior medical officer in charge of preparing for a bird flu outbreak, said the ministry would be undertaking a national plan for handling bird flu by next month in order to prepare for any possible outbreak.
Five bird flu outbreaks have occurred since it first surfaced in January 2004, killing more than 60 million fowls and 17 of 25 infected humans. The latest outbreak was reported in Nakhon Sawan and Phichit in late January.
The Livestock Development Department last month declared Thailand free of bird flu after three months passed without any new reports of the virus breaking out.