The Japanese government has set up a regional project called “The Regional Industry Tie-up program (RIT).” The program aims to develop joint collaboration with an international partner, especially the domestic partner, in manufacturing medical devices. The project studied the market, trade, and investment potential of international partners for a year and it chose Thailand as one of the most favorable partners.

Thai government cabinet agrees on the integrated national Genomics plan (2020-2024) that has been proposed by the Ministry of public health since 26^th March 2019. The plan has a budget of 4.57 billion baht for the five-year plan.

Currently, trend of using marijuana in medicine is widely recognized. Many countries had been legalized the products with marijuana components. Cannabis beauty which is made by cannabidol (CBD) extracted from hemp and marijuana, has gained popularity recently. Some leading brands, e.g. Estee Lauder provide products in this line and distributed via major cosmetic stores, e.g. Sephora and department store in US, e.g. Barneys.  From the research analysts, sales of this products are rapidly expanded and the market size could reach 10 billions US dollar in the near future.

Chiang Mai University, National Innovation Agency, National Research Council, and PTT Public company limited had signed an MOU on the second phase of “The Extension of Research on Bioplastics for Commercialization on 15^th January 2019

Kanit Sangsubhan, the secretary of Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), announced on 13^th May 2019 that the EECO board agrees on the implementation of the Thailand Genome Sequencing Center at the Faculty of Pharmacology, Burapha University. The starting date of the project set to 10^th May 2019

Even though, tamarind products are widely used to make many popular foods, e.g., tamarind chili paste and candy, the tamarind seed is still under-utilized and usually seen as the waste in production. Recently, research collaboration between famous tamarind brand “Sarach” and researchers from Pibulsongkram Rajabhat University have introduced the powder from tamarind seed.
 

Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) has formed a cooperation with the Center for Biomedical and Robotics Technology (BART lab) Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University.

In the age of e-commerce, the online stores gain lots of popularity in many products, including e-pharmacy, which provide patient the convenience way to buy drug, especially for inconvenience patients who depend on online sale and home delivery of drugs.

Chief Operation Officer, SHOP Global (Thailand) Company Limited, said that SHOP Global (Thailand) Company Limited is a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation - the owner of the number one TV shopping business from Japan, and SAHA Group.

Clariant has announced the development of a new bio-based polymer for cosmetic creams and lotions, which is derived from renewable isobutene. Developed with Global Bioenergies’ sugar-based isobutene, Clariant’s new ingredient is a rheology modifier that influences formulation viscosity and achieves specific sensorial and texturizing properties for creams and lotions.