News and Announcement

PTTEP-ARV extends 30 million Baht fund to support the development of Thai-made Chula-Baiya” COVID-19 vaccine expected to be launched in 2022

7 Sep 2021

PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) and AI and Robotics Ventures Company Limited (ARV) signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CU Enterprise Foundation and Baiya Phytopharm Company Limited, to extend a 30 million Baht financial support to the ongoing Chula-Baiya COVID-19 vaccine development.

Signing the MoU were PTTEP Chief Executive Officer Mr. Phongsthorn Thavisin, ARV General Manager Dr. Thana Slanvetpan, CU Enterprise Foundation Chairperson Assoc. Prof. Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Ph.D., and Baiya Phytopharm Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder Asst. Prof. Dr. Suthira Taychakhoonavudh. The ceremony, witnessed by Chulalongkorn University President Prof. Bundhit Eua-arporn, Ph.D., took place at the pilot vaccine and plant-based pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, jointly operated by Chulalongkorn University and Baiya Phytopharm.

Mr. Phongsthorn Thavisin, Chief Executive Officer of PTTEP, said that PTTEP’s mission involves petroleum exploration and production for national energy security, with adherence to social responsibility. Since the COVID-19 outbreak, PTTEP has taken part in Thailand’s fight against the pandemic through innovations and funding extended to hospitals, educational institutions and organizations for the past two years.

“The Chula-Baiya vaccine development is a key milestone of Thailand. PTTEP is pleased to assist Chulalongkorn University and Baiya Phytopharm with financial support, as well as knowledge and technology sharing. We hope that the research, trial and production process continues with greater efficiency, so that a vaccine with quality on par with foreign-made ones will be available, strengthen Thais’ immunity against COVID-19 and reflect in the nation’s capability to be self-reliance. In this regard, ARV, a subsidiary of PTTEP, is bringing knowledge and technology to support the development of Chula-Baiya vaccine,” Mr. Phongsthorn said.

ARV and its partners have created various innovations to assist Thailand’s fight against COVID-19, including negative pressure transfer beds and wheelchairs, IoT cold chain monitoring alert system for COVID-19 vaccine storages, CARA Medical Supplies and Food Delivery Robots, as well as Xterlizer UV Disinfection Robots.

Dr Natcha Thawesaengskulthai, Chairperson of CU Enterprise Foundation, said “CU Enterprise Foundation would like to thank PTTEP and ARV for the supporting this important mission. Our non-profit foundation was established to assist and provide financial supports to Baiya Phytopharm in the development of COVID-19 vaccine for Thais. This technology platform, developed and owned by Thais, will ensure genuine security of the nation’s public health system.”

The Chula-Baiya vaccine has entered the 1st phase of human trial with approximately 100 samples who were administered with 10-microgram, 50-microgram and 100-microgram doses. If everything goes according to plan, the mass production of the Thai-made vaccine is expected to start within the third quarter of 2022, with maximum capacity of 5 million doses per month or 60 million doses per annum.

For more information, please contact:
Media Management Section, PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited

Communication Department, CU Enterprise