Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University is expected to transfer technology for the mass production of its vaccine, ChulaCov 19 mRNA, to a local manufacturer in the first quarter of next year, according to Professor Dr. Kiat Ruxrungtham, director of the vaccine’s development project.

Speaking at a panel discussion on the progress of research and development of the vaccine, at the 5th Chula The Impact event on Thursday, Dr. Kiat said that the centre started the first stage of human clinical trials of the candidate vaccine on June 14th, involving 36 volunteers in the 18-55 age group and 36 volunteers aged 56-75. The two groups of volunteers were given two doses of vaccine three weeks apart.

Initial trial results show no serious side effects in the volunteers of the 18-55 age group, with mild and moderate side effects which improve in 1-2 days, said Dr. Kiat, adding that consultations are under way with the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) for the launch of the second phase of human clinical trials.

He said he expects local commercial production of the vaccine to commence in the first quarter of next year.

He also said that the research centre is ready for the development of a second generation of the mRNA vaccine,which will respond to virus mutations.

Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Dr. Suthira Taychakhoonavudh, of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, as well as CEO and co-founder of Baiya Phytopharm, a faculty startup company, said that equipping of a production unit is underway at the Chulapat 14Building, which will have the capacity to produce up to five million doses of vaccine per month, she said.

The research team at Baiya Phytopharm is also working on the research and development of a second generation of the plant-based cocktail vaccine, currently at the stage of animal trials.