Bangkok--29 Sep--TCELS
According to Dr. Nares Damrongchai, CEO of TCELS, the Asia Pacific market for whitening products is worth about 10 billion US dollar or approximately three billion baht.
Dr. Nares announced that a wide range of anti-aging skincare products containing rubber latex extract, based on the research studies conducted by Prince of Songkhla University and Naresuan University, are expected to be launched next year. These products come in the form of facial wash gel, skincare serum, whitening cream and hair care products.
“We are certain that the products that we have developed will receive good response from the users and have a large market share,” Dr. Nares said. He informed that these products are developed on the basis of discoveries made by academics from leading universities.
This collaboration between TCELS and the leading universities allows the alliances to develop a wide range of skincare products with rubber latex extract to meet different needs of customers. It also increases country’s competitiveness in the global market, Dr. Nares said.
This cooperation also serves as a platform for life science personnel to work together and share knowledge and wisdom. It allows TCELS to set up database system for original products, cosmetics, medicine and biological drugs. These activities will help TCELS in arranging a campaign to promote these products in the market.
Research studies on latex extract were conducted by Prof. Dr. Rapeepun Wititsuwannakul of Prince of Songkhla University and her teammates. These research findings on biotechnological development from rubber latex extracts have been used for manufacturing products in different formulas. In addition, these products have received positive response from users when a company conducted a pre-launch marketing campaign.
With his expertise in cosmetics and natural skincare products, Associate professor Dr. Neti Woranuch, from Naresuan University, led the application of these research findings into various skincare products. The university has also conducted clinical research studies in order to test products’ efficiency, using international standard procedures.
Dr. Nares said that TCELS has provided financial support for studies and has also given advice on products and services. The agency has also arranged exhibitions and events in Thailand and in other countries in order to promote biotechnology knowledge, researchers’ works and their products. The exhibitions serve as a go-between for investors and entrepreneurs as well as academics to work together to develop innovative products. In addition, TCELS has played a leading role in building up a network of personnel in biotechnology field.
Dr. Nares said that these natural skincare products with rubber latex extract are unlike other products in the same category, thanks to the country’s capability of producing a large volume of natural rubber latex each year.
“These products are unique, so we think that they will receive a good response from the users,” he said. TCELS is in the process of assessing the economic value of products with rubber latex extract, he added.
Dr. Nares expressed confidence that these products will generate revenue for the country in the long run, and also help in solving the problem of declining rubber prices.
He pointed that at the initial stage there will be a few products in the market. However, TCELS plans to transfer the innovation and technology to companies that are capable of growing interest in these products. Alliances can be formed in different ways; government and private sectors or a fully-owned company to invest in the production.
“It is possible for the government to co-invest with a company to work on the production for serving the wider needs of consumers. It depends on the government’s policy and the readiness of the private sector,” Dr. Nares said.