Thailand’s first mRNA Covid vaccine rolls off production line
Thailand’s first mRNA vaccine has been certified safe after BioNet-Asia launched domestic production of doses, government spokesperson Rachada Dhnadirek announced on Saturday.
ChulaCov19, developed by Chulalongkorn University and BioNet-Asia, has passed its first two trials and will enter third-phase human trials this year. If successful it will be registered with the Food and Drug Administration late this year, said the spokesperson.
Development of the vaccine is being funded by a budget of 2.3 billion baht approved by the government.
The first two trials on humans found that ChulaCov19 created higher immunity than the Pfizer mRNA vaccine currently being used in Thailand, Rachada said, citing data from the researchers.
The government plans to develop and produce vaccines under the Medical Hub Strategy 2017-2026.
“This will have a positive impact for the region. Southeast Asia will build up security and safety in virus prevention,” she added.
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has been informed of ChulaCov19’s success by Chulalongkorn University’s Vaccine Research Centre.