Bangkok--Apr 1--Spark Communications
Discovery to focus on Thai pure and natural products and microorganisms
Novartis to train Thai scientists and transfer technology to Thai biotech agency
Novartis has signed a three-year partnership agreement with the Thai government agency BIOTEC aimed at developing new medicines based on natural products found in Thailand. The drug discovery partnership aims to find potential use of microorganisms and natural compounds as sources for innovative medicines.
Under the agreement, BIOTEC will benefit from the drug discovery capabilities and skills from Novartis scientists and its laboratory facilities. BIOTEC will receive financial contributions towards joint research as well as technical support under this agreement. The agreement also engages Novartis in the training of Thai scientists in terms of research internships at the Novartis Research Unit in Basel, Switzerland. Novartis also committed to transfer technology to BIOTEC to contribute to the Thai science agency’s capabilities.
“This partnership will help us better understand the diverse range of interesting pure natural compounds from the biodiversity found in Thailand,” said Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis. “Through our collaboration with BIOTEC, our training of scientists, and our technology efforts, we hope to contribute to BIOTEC. Our aim will be to explore the potential from Thailand’s biodiversity to help patients by discovering new medicines targeted to treat diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and tropical diseases.”
This partnership is unique in Thailand in that it applies untapped Thai natural resources for global drug development, and is intended to establish BIOTEC as a leading centre for natural product drug research in Southeast Asia.
Natural products are biologically active compounds found in the environment which in their naturally occurring form or in derivative can be used as ingredients in human therapies. They are isolated from natural sources like bacteria, fungi or plants.
“Global fungal biodiversity is estimated at 1.5 million species,” said Dr. Morakot, Director of BIOTEC. “Given that Thailand probably hosts 7-10 percent of the world total of biodiversity then we may assume 100,000- 150,000 fungi are in Thailand. Barely one percent of this presumed total has been described from Thailand to date.”
Thailand is a storehouse of a vast biodiversity in plants, animals and microorganisms. Only 1.75 million species of living organisms are recorded, compared to 12 million species waiting to be discovered. “We are pleased to be able to partner with Novartis,” Dr. Morakot stated, “joining BIOTEC’s expertise in collecting and identifying microorganisms and the preliminary characterization of pure natural compounds from them, with Novartis’ strength in the research, development and worldwide commercialization of compounds derived from both synthetic and natural-product sources.”
The genesis of the agreement was sparked by an initiative of H.E. Minister Korn Thapparansi (Minister of Science & Technology), who suggested the BIOTEC institute should seek a partnership to share complementary expertise to develop new medicines out of natural products found in Thailand. This led to a visit by Minister Korn, accompanied by a BIOTEC delegation, to the Novartis headquarters in Switzerland in June of last year.
The partnership will span the period April 2005 to March 2008. The cooperation will be managed by a Joint Steering Committee (JSC) consisting of scientists and executives from both parties.
About BIOTEC
National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC) is one of four centers under the auspices of the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), an autonomous government agency. The Center is a research funding agency as well as operates research laboratories, some of which are in collaboration with universities and government bodies. The Center also acts as a bridge for collaboration between industry and academia. Furthermore, BIOTEC is actively engaged in advancing research as a pillar for building a foundation in establishing Thailand’s position as a science and technology powerhouse, which is one of the aims of Thailand’s national policy. BIOTEC annual budget is approximately 800 mil Baht (USD 20 mio), with staff of 450, inclusive of research/scientific personnel and administrative officers.
About Novartis
Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS) is a world leader in pharmaceuticals and consumer health. In 2004, the Group's businesses achieved sales of USD 28.2 billion and a net income of USD 5.8 billion. The Group invested approximately USD 4.2 billion in R&D. Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, Novartis Group companies employ about 81,400 people and operate in over 140 countries around the world. For further information please consult http://www.novartis.com.
For further information:
BIOTEC
Duangkaew Chongkachornphong
Tel: +662 564-6700 (Ext. 3516)
[email protected]
Novartis (Thailand) Limited
Dr. Peter Jager
Tel: +662 685-0999 (Ext. 0711)
[email protected]
In Picture (From left to right) :
1. Prof. Dr. Morakot Tantichareon, Director of BIOTEC
2. H.E. Mr. Korn Thapparansi, Minister of Science and Technology
3. Dr. Daniel Vasella, Chairman and CEO of Novartis Ltd.
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net End.