Thailand, like other countries around the world, has been working on indigenous vaccines that will supplement its vaccine programs.

Thailand, currently in the midst of its worst Covid-19 wave yet, has seen a total of 989,859 cases and 8,586 deaths linked to the virus.

First generation vaccines, including those made by Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Sinopharm have been praised for their quick development and their pandemic-changing application. But with new mutations, some of these vaccines have lost potency.

Second-generation vaccines being developed at home and abroad will play an important role in how quickly the pandemic will bet put to rest and how quickly the world will return to normal.

Here is a roundup, so far, of the latest COVID-19 vaccine being developed in Thailand.

ChulaCov19

Considered as the pioneer behind Southeast Asia’s first mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, the human trials for Thailand’s home-grown ChulaCov19, developed by researchers at Chulalongkorn University launched earlier in June, have been met with very successful results. 

“Thailand’s home-grown ChulaCov19 vaccine generates immunity on par with the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine and protects against four major variants of Covid-19,” its lead developer said on Tuesday. 

Dr Kiat Ruxrungtham, the founder of the Chula Vaccine Research Center (Chula VRC), revealed that the “ChulaCov19 stimulated similar levels of antibody-based immunity as other mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna, while generating much higher protection against the original strain of Covid-19.”

“This high antibody response is also capable of inhibiting transmission of all four strains: Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. ChulaCov19 also stimulates T-cell immunity, which helps to eliminate and control the virus in the cells of infected people,” Dr Kiat added.

The first Phase of the human trials involved 36 volunteers, aged between 18-55, who were given two shots of the vaccines. They experienced no serious side effects after seven days, with some reportedly developing mild to moderate symptoms which went away after 1-3 days. 

Phase 2 trials on volunteers will begin around August 25. If successful, Dr Kiat expects ChulaCov19 to be available by April 2022. Researchers will transfer the technology to Bionet Asia for immediate mass production.

One of the biggest positive factors in producing mRNA vaccines is that they are quicker to produce and can be made in large quantities, according to Dr Kiat, which will ultimately help reduce cost in the long run.

Not only that, the vaccines will be readily available, first and foremost, to Thai people and persons who currently need it most. 

Another key distinctive feature about ChulaCov19 is that it can be stored at a normal refrigerator temperature of 2-8°C for three months and room temperature (25°C) for two weeks, unlike its mRNA counterparts, such as the Pfizer and Moderna, which requires a deep-freeze and special kind of storage.

Dr Kiat also spoke with Nature magazine earlier this year about the development of the vaccine, which had received positive pre-clinical results as early as May 2020 but has only just progressed to human trials this year. The vaccine was developed by the center in collaboration with Professor Dr Drew Weissman, a pioneer in mRNA technology from the University of Pennsylvania. 

COVID-19 vaccine nasal spray

Through research by the National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand is now in the process of developing a new COVID-19 vaccine nasal spray, two in fact, and is planning to start human trials by the end of this year, the country’s leading virologist announced earlier this week.

The nasal-based vaccines, both developed by BIOTEC and in accordance with the standard of Thailand’s Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certification, are influenza-based and adenovirus-based (vaccines prepared by inserting a mobile gene element into the backbone of a double-stranded virus DNA through direct cloning or recombination). 

According to Dr Anan Jongkaewwattana, a well recognized virologist in the field of molecular virology and director of the Veterinary Health Innovation and Management Research Group at BIOTEC, made the announcement, researchers are now preparing to launch human trials of the adenovirus-based nasal spray against the Delta variant by the end of this year after it was tested on laboratory mice to positive results.

“This marks an important step for registering the vaccine to be tested on humans,” said the director “Both are products of Thailand.”

If the trials are successful, Thailand can start production of the nasal-based vaccine by the middle of next year, Dr Anan said. 

Baiya Phytopharm plant-based vaccine

Founded in 2018, Baiya Phytopharm is another initiative under Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences which aims to provide a protein-based platform in providing “quick, simple, and scalable for the biopharma industry aiming to replace biotechnology’s fermenter with plants.” It is considered as the first plant-produced biologics company in Southeast Asia. 

Baiya Phytopharm has developed a Covid-19 plant-based vaccine by using their technology, Baiyapharming, to produce at least six prototypes during its research phase of the vaccine from benthi leaves (Nicotiana benthamiana). 

One candidate of the vaccines, the Baiya SARS-CoV Vax 1, has been successfully tested on mice and monkeys with results showing that it has boosted the level of neutralizing antibodies against the virus just after two doses. 

The vaccine is currently in the pre-production phase and is requesting approval to test its efficacy and safety in human trials, which will take place in September of this year. 

Covid medication syrup

The Chulabhorn Royal Academy (CRA), in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University’s faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences announced earlier this month that they have developed a syrup form of Favipiravir to treat Covid-19 patients who may have difficulty swallowing Covid-19 medication tablets, such as children, the elderly, and those with throat diseases and issues.

According to Dr Nithi Mahanonda, the secretary-general of the CRA and director of the Chulabhorn Memorial Hospital, the new Favipiravir syrup, which is used to treat influenza and severe symptoms of Covid-19 in its early stages, are already now available since August. Doctors seeking to obtain the syrup will need medication proof of the children or elderly having been tested positive for the coronavirus by an RT-PCR method or Rapid Antigen Test. 

The drugs will be prescribed free of charge, and are able to be produced for around 100 patients a week. It has been under the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana.

 

 

 

THAI Enquirer