A case study of a Thai‐US joint venture:

Antibody array–The future screening method for food safety

Kanyawim Kirtikara, Ph.D.Nitsara Karoonuthaisiri, Ph.D.

National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC)National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)

• 65 Million people (~1% of the world population)

• GDP $272 Billion (31% contributed by agro‐based industries)

• Land: 510,890 sq km (34% are used for agriculture) 

• 42.6% of employment is in agriculture 

• Thailand is ranked 14th in the world for export volume of food 

• In 2009, Thailand exported 28.77 million tons of food products , corresponding to 23 billion USD (53% processed/ready to eat products and 47% commodity products)

Thailand’s position in the world food market

EnvironmentBetter economy/society for better quality of life

Core Technologies

National S&T Development Strategy (2004 – 2013)

Biotechnology ICT Materials Technology Nanotechnology

Scientific knowledgelife sciences, physics, mathematics, computer, and materials science

Human Resources Infrastructure S&T Awareness

Internal Management

FoodsAuto‐mobile

Software & 

MicrochipTextile Tourism Health OTOP

Youth

Underprivileged

Economy Society

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Thailand as a major food producer of the world• Thailand was the top shrimp supplier to the US market during 2007. Thai sales to the US 

accounted for 34% of total traded volume, and 32% of the value of imports. 

http://www.eurofish.dk/dynamiskSub.php4?id=3544

In terms of value, Thailand is also the leading supplier, with a value of trade of US$ 1235.8 million, accounting for 32% of the value of US imports. 

• Thai Government: "Safe and Clean Food for All in 2004", the Ministry of Public Health is authorized to be responsible for the Food Safety Program 

Thai government policy to ensure food safety 

Five strategies have been implemented in Thailand in order to accomplish the goals of the food safety policy:

Strategy 1: Development of laws and regulations to comply with international standards(including all foods produced, imported, and exported).

Strategy 2: Strengthening of food safety monitoring system

Strategy 3: Development of consumer power

Strategy 4: Development of responsible personnel and working processes

Strategy 5: Development of laboratory capability

• Seed production or plant and animal improvement• Biopharmaceutical agents such as vaccines, 

therapeutic proteins• Diagnostic testing kits for medical, agricultural, food 

and environmental use• Biomolecules and biologically active compounds 

produced from microorganisms, plant cells, and animal cells 

• Raw material and essential materials used in molecular biological experiments or tests, and 

• Biological analysis and/or synthesis services. 

Maximum investment incentives are provided to the following areas of bio‐business: 

* Information from Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) (www.boi.go.th)

Investment Promotion in Biotechnology Industry

• Incentive packages and tax exemption incentives • Corporate income tax exemption for 8 years • Import tax exemption for machines, equipment and materials for R&D• Accelerated depreciation of machinery and equipment • Work permit and visa facilitation for foreign researchers and experts• Allowance for foreign ownership

• 200% deduction of research expenses

* Information from Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) (www.boi.go.th)

Incentive for Biotech Industry

Number of local manufacturers with R&D for diagnostic kits for both health and agricultural sector: 15Number of importers/trading companies: 50

Market value 100 million USD Growth rate of 10% annually

Service companies providing testing related to food quality/safety and agriculture: >400

Market value 73 million USD Growth rate of 5% annually

Diagnostic industry in Thailand

EASE OF DETECTION, SENSITIVITY, INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS, SHORTENED TIME

R&D

Tech Transfer

HR Development

Infrastructure

Internal mgt.

A dependable partner for accelerating growth towards a knowledge‐based society through Science and Technology

NSTDA’s main mission is research and development to strengthen Thailand’s sustainable competitiveness,  complemented with the technology transfer and development of human resources and infrastructure in science and technology with the outcomes that have impacts on the society and economy

National Science and Technology Development AgencyAn autonomous government agency, affiliated to Ministry of Science and Technology.  NSTDA is a major research funding agency, and also supervises four national research centers, including biotechnology center (BIOTEC)

MISSION

VISION

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NSTDA   : National Science and Technology Development AgencyBIOTEC : National Center for Genetic Engineering and BiotechnologyMTEC     : National Metal and Materials Technology CenterNECTEC : National Electronics and Computer Technology CenterNANOTEC : National Nanotechnology CenterTMC : Technology Management Center

established by Sci. & Tech. Dev. Act. in 1991

NSTDA Board chaired by Minister of Science and Technology

1983 1985 1985

20032006

National Science and Technology Development Agency

Healthcare & Medicine

Agriculture & Food Biotechnology

Environmental & Energy

Platform Technology

Genomics  

Molecular Breeding

Gene Expression

Sequencing & Gene Discovery

Genetic Engineering

Marker Assisted Selection

ScreeningTechnology

Microbial Technology Metagenomics

Recombinant protein

Pre‐pilot synthesis APIs

Bioinformatics

Systems biology

Proteomics

Cell Factory

NSTDA & BIOTEC Research Programs

Projection in 3 years (after 2010):‐ Additional 40,000 m2 available for private sector‐ 200 companies‐ 4,000 knowledge workers

Area: 80 Acres

Space: 

140,000 m2

(300,000 m2 for whole project)

National Research Centers :

BIOTEC, MTEC, NECTEC, NANOTEC

Space for private sector:

Incubator units, multi‐tenant buildings, long term leased land

At present

• 60 companies in operation 

( 75% Thai, 25% international)

• >10 companies in pipeline

Thailand Science Park Promoting R&D in Private Sector

145/10/2010 HR NSTDA14

14

Central Building

Pilot Plants

Residential Area

Innovation Cluster 1(Multi-Tenants Unit)

Convention Center

Garden of Innovation

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

Multi-tenants unit(under construction)

Thailand Science Park

Tenants in Thailand Science Park

• NSTDA, 4 National research centers and Technology Management Center

(Total 2,500 staff, RD&E account for 65 %)

• More than 1,600 full-time researchers, of which approx. 400 are PhDs.

• 60 companies with 500 skilled personnel (60% RDE personnel)

“Work-Life Integration Concept”

• Four integrated towers• Gross area of around 127,000 m2, Net area of 72,000 m2

• 40,000 m2 allocated for private companies• Clean room, sensitive lab, heavy equipment areas available

Thailand Science Park Phase 2

Antibody Array for Food PathogensWin-Win Situation

Ingredients of Win-Win Situation

Tech – Business

Business‐Demand

When technologies meetAntibody technology

Microarray technologyPhotodiode detecting technology

U.S. Patents 6,197,503 and 6,448,064 and 6,743,581

Antibody production

Unique collection of antibodies- Food-borne pathogens- Seed-borne pathogens

Microarray technology

- Miniaturization small amount- High-throughput fast

In-house fabrication

Photodiode detecting technology

A Multifunctional Biochip for Diagnostics- Photonics- Developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratories - NDT holds the exclusive, worldwide commercialization rights to

these patents.

Marriage of Technologies Antibody Array using NanoDetector

What application would be good for 

business?

When technologies meet the business

Thailand - Agricultural country- Kitchen of the World- Competitive

Will a good mix of technologies be a good product?

When Business meets Demand

• 7.3% of GDP from export values

• Among exported goods, food sector contributes 11.8%~20,000 Mil USD

2000    2001     2002    2003    2004   2005   2006    2007

Mil Baht

Value of Food Export Relative to GDP in Thailand

Source: NESDB

Antibody array for food safety

Salmonella spp.E.coli O157:H7Listeria spp.

PCR

ELISA

Biochemical testsPlate count technique

Traditional Assays

0 

5,000 

10,000 

15,000 

20,000 

25,000 

30,000 

35,000 

40,000 

45,000 

50,000 

55,000 

Signal from spot of Ab E.coliSignal from spot of Ab SalmonellaSignal from spot of Ab Listeria

Market opportunitiesELISA Foodborne Antibody Array

Sensitivity (CFU/ml) 1 x 105 1 x 107 8 x 104 5 x 107

Assay time 4 hr 75 min

Reagent

Capture antibody 250 ng/sample 4 ng/sample

HRP antibody 100 ng/sample 12.8 ng/sample

Cost (approximately) $3/assay(1 pathogen) $0.8/array (3 pathogens)

Antibody Array for Foodborne Pathogen Detection

Better Protection:Minimize contamination

Stronger Protection:Minimize public exposure

Faster Response:Recover quickly

Safer food

Protect the public/consumer

Heart of diagnostics

Antibody‐ Specific‐ Sensitive

Detection‐ Simple‐ Affordable

Microarray‐Miniaturization‐ High‐throughput