The Health Systems Research Institute (HSRI) and AstraZeneca (Thailand) Co., Ltd. have entered into a strategic collaboration to expand clinical trial capabilities within hospitals under the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH).
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), titled “Expand the Clinical Trial Sites under the Ministry of Public Health,” aims to elevate Thailand’s research infrastructure to international standards and increase patient access to innovative medical treatments.
The agreement seeks to strengthen the country’s clinical research ecosystem by developing a robust network of research centers, enhancing the skills of medical personnel, and fostering ethical patient participation.
Dr. Supakit Sirilak, Executive Director of HSRI, emphasized the institute’s commitment to laying a strong foundation for national medical research. He stated that collaborating with a global biopharmaceutical leader like AstraZeneca will significantly upgrade the capabilities of MoPH hospitals.
Key outcomes of this partnership include the strengthening of research infrastructure, the facilitation of comprehensive data access for patient participation, and the establishment of a valuable national clinical research database covering diverse patient populations.
Representing the private sector, Roman Ramos, Country President of AstraZeneca (Thailand) Co., Ltd. and Frontier Markets, affirmed that the company places research and development at the heart of its operations.
He noted that combining AstraZeneca’s global scientific capabilities with HSRI’s health system expertise will not only increase access to innovative medicines but also create an ecosystem capable of attracting international clinical research projects to Thailand.
Ramos added that this initiative aligns with the goal of driving long-term stability and sustainability for the Thai health system.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ben Morley, Commercial Counsellor and Thailand Country Director at the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), British Embassy Bangkok.
Morley highlighted the significance of this public-private partnership, describing it as a vital step in expanding Thailand’s research capabilities and promoting knowledge exchange between the UK and Thailand. He noted that the collaboration reflects a shared vision to advance medical innovations that improve global well-being.
Under the MOU, the collaboration will focus on four primary areas. First, it will expand the number of clinical research centers in MoPH hospitals to support a higher volume of studies.
Second, it will prioritize capacity building by training medical personnel and researchers to meet professional standards.
Third, the partnership will utilize comprehensive national health data to systematically select appropriate research centers.
Finally, the initiative aims to elevate patient awareness and participation, ensuring all processes strictly adhere to ethical and legal standards.
Following the signing, HSRI hosted a seminar titled “Revolutionizing Patient Access: Synergized Clinical Research Collaboration Driving Healthcare Innovation in Thailand.” The session featured insights from key industry figures, including Dr. Kasem Tangkasemsamran, Director of the Public Health Academic Office, and Dr. Pawinee Eamchan, Director of Saraburi Hospital.
