Thammasat University (TU) has signed an MOU with Khaolaor Laboratories Co., Ltd to collaboratively promote herb and drug research and develop the Drug Research and Development Center, in Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (TU-SAT).
On September 18, 2020, at Thammasat University Rangsit Campus, Thammasat University, led by Assoc. Prof.Gasinee Witoonchart, Rector, and Khaolaor Laboratories Co., Ltd led by Mr. Watcharapong Pongboriboon, Managing Director, signed in an MOU to collaboratively promote herb and drug research and develop the Drug Research and Development Center, in the Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University (TU-SAT).
They will be sharing resources, innovations, ideas, comments, and experiences all of which will help advance Thai herb product research and development. Some of the projects are improving manufacturing and quality checking and promoting studies on drugs, cosmeceuticals, and herb products helping them to be patented for commercial uses.
Assoc. Prof.Gasinee Witoonchart said that “Thammasat is the university of people. TU has visions to create leadership among the students using our education plans and our world-class research institution. We are currently aiming to be an international research university. Our strategy is to build networks both within the university and with other organizations to promote academic corporations, and research and development.”
“TU-SAT is more than happy to sign this academic research and development MOU with Khaolaor Laboratories. This MOU will be beneficial to both parties in conducting research, improving the production process and product quality, as well as promoting researcher network, which will help with the mission of drug research and development,” said Assoc. Prof.Gasinee Witoonchart.
Watcharapong Pongboriboon, Managing Director at Khaolaor Laboratories, said that “We are hoping to create a collaboration between Thai herb and scientific study which will help to make the herbs become more effective as well as to increase the credibility of herb products both nationally and internationally. This collaboration between Khaolaor and TU will bring great benefits to the Thai people.”
“The collaborative research, joining traditional Thai medicine and scientific knowledge, will open new doors to a whole new potential of health products.”
Advanced Science and Technology, Thammasat University, or TU-SAT is one of the university’s support offices that help the university achieve excellencies in science and technology. TU-SAT consists of many departments: Drug Discovery and Development Center (DDDC), Center of Scientific Equipment for Advanced Research, Laboratory Animal Center, Center of Intellectual Property and Business Incubator.
The main mission of the Drug Discovery and Development Center is drug research and development, augmenting Thailand with innovations to compete in academic research and innovation related to drugs.
The center is working mainly on Thai natural product analysis to boost the national economy. Besides, DDDC publishes studies and technology related to drug development and patent for commercial purposes, as well as provides equipment used in teachers’ and students’ research both in and out of the university.