Dr. Wasawat Sroithong, Investor Relations Officer at Medeze Group Public Company Limited (SET: MEDEZE), disclosed to “Kaohoon” that the company, in partnership with Thailand’s Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) and Cretan Associates, has established a joint venture named GPO MEDEZE Empower Co., Ltd. with a registered capital of THB 105 million to build the country’s first cell culture media manufacturing plant.
The cell culture media manufacturing entity has officially been registered. Commercial production is expected to commence within the first quarter of 2028, with the potential to substitute cell culture media imports worth hundreds of millions of baht annually.
Regarding discussions between the Ministry of Public Health and global manufacturers of pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and vaccines to attract investment into Thailand, the company views the development as clearly positive for the country.
Historically, Thailand has directly imported finished pharmaceutical products, resulting in Thai patients receiving dosages based on Western demographic data that may not always align with Asian physiology and genetics. Attracting clinical trials into Thailand will bring capital investment into the country while allowing local patients faster access to innovative therapeutics.
From the company’s perspective, the drug categories negotiated by the government—comprising chemical pharmaceuticals, biologics, and vaccines—operate in a distinct segment from the Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) produced by MEDEZE. Consequently, MEDEZE stands to gain from a nationwide elevation in the clinical research ecosystem, infrastructure, workforce, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.
The broader gains from improved research personnel and clinical trial infrastructure would provide resources that MEDEZE could also use, Dr. Wasawat stated. However, he added, the company also foresees short-term intensification in competition for research slots and patient selection at top-tier trial sites, such as Chulalongkorn, Siriraj, and Ramathibodi hospitals.
Regarding long-term effects, Dr. Wasawat noted that if major global operators introduce cell and gene therapies, it would overlap directly with MEDEZE’s operating segment. However, foreign players must still navigate the same research and regulatory registration processes that MEDEZE has already undertaken, requiring substantial investment on their part. Partnering with MEDEZE would therefore represent a superior strategic path for foreign entrants, while expansion in the broader cell therapy market would simultaneously benefit MEDEZE’s cell banking operations.
Dr. Wasawat added that MEDEZE’s key competitive advantage amid rising market entry lies in its full compliance with all stages of Thai regulations, whereas foreign entrants must begin from scratch. Furthermore, MEDEZE maintains an integrated ecosystem comprising a cell bank, a GMP-certified facility, and cell culture media production capabilities. Given this infrastructure, the most plausible operational model for major international entrants is to leverage MEDEZE’s existing resources through partnership rather than building facilities from the ground up.
Regarding the location of the manufacturing plant, the facility is expected to be sited within the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to maximize investment privileges and leverage supporting infrastructure. Meanwhile, clinical trials are anticipated to concentrate primarily around key university hospitals—including Chulalongkorn, Siriraj, Ramathibodi, Chiang Mai University, and Khon Kaen University—as well as capable regional medical centers under the Ministry of Public Health.
