Thailand–Australia Strengthen Pharmaceutical and Vaccine Manufacturing to Boost Regional Health Security

Thailand and Australia have reaffirmed their strong partnership in advancing regional health security through the Biologics and Pharmaceuticals Manufacturing in Thailand for Equitable Access to Medicines (BPM-TEAM) project. Supported by AUD 1.75 million over four years under Australia’s Partnerships for a Healthy Region program, the initiative brings together the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and key Thai partners, including BIOTEC, NSTDA, the Government Pharmaceutical Organization, the National Biopharmaceutical Facility, and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. The project aims to strengthen Thailand’s capacity to produce biologics and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), ensuring equitable access to essential medicines and enhancing resilience across ASEAN.

At the project’s midpoint, significant progress has been achieved in both API and biologics development. In the API track, researchers have successfully developed scalable production processes using advanced technologies such as flow reactors and continuous-flow chemistry. A key milestone includes the pre-industrial-scale production of abacavir hemisulfate, an HIV antiviral drug, capable of producing approximately 2,000 tablets from a 10-liter reactor. Meanwhile, the biologics track has advanced monoclonal antibody development, particularly in upstream processing and cell lindevelopment, supported by intensive training and close collaboration between Australian and Thai research teams.

Beyond technical achievements, the project has strengthened Thailand’s research ecosystem, workforce capacity, and readiness for large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing. It also supports vaccine development, including efforts against African Swine Fever (ASF), and facilitates technology transfer aligned with international standards. The initiative plays a crucial role in reducing Thailand’s reliance on imported APIs and positioning the country as a regional hub for biopharmaceutical production, ultimately contributing to long-term health security and equitable access to medicines in the region.