EEC committee approves B1.5bn genomics centre

The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Committee yesterday approved a plan to set up a genome sequencing facility worth a combined 1.5 billion baht aiming to raise Thailand's competitiveness in the medical industry, one of 12 targeted sectors promoted for the EEC.

Suthep Petchmark, inspector-general for the Public Health Ministry, said the Thailand Genome Sequencing Center will be a joint investment between the Public Health and Science and Technology ministries, with the 1.5 billion baht a budget spanning five years.

The centre is part of Thailand's genomics development from 2020-24.

On March 26, the cabinet approved a five-year action plan to drive genomics development, worth 4.5 billion baht.

The action plan covers R&D and development of medical services for genomics, infrastructure and human resources.

The plan is expected to help draw private investment and joint ventures between government agencies and potential private firms.

Genomics is the branch of molecular biology concerned with the structure, function, evolution and mapping of genomes.

The government expects genomics technology will eventually help save 70 billion baht a year worth of medical treatment expenses for five key conditions, cutting the transcription cost for the genetic code that costs about 18,000 baht per transcription.

The five conditions are HIV, acute coronary syndrome, diabetes, cancer and stroke.

Mr Suthep said the two ministries engaged in the joint investment for the new centre have already earmarked the spending in their annual fiscal budget.

Kanit Sangsubhan, secretary-general of the EEC Office, said it would team up with the Board of Investment to work out measures to promote the industry and encourage related agencies to conduct R&D and private investment.

In a related development, Pichet Durongkaveroj, the digital economy and society minister, said the EEC committee yesterday also endorsed the ministry's study on demand for human resources in the EEC for digital, robotics and smart electronics.

The ministry's study found the three industries could demand as many as 180,000 employees in five years, or more than 40,000 a year, while the country can currently supply only 20,000 a year.