Latest news with #WilertPuriwat
Bangkok Post
06-08-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Chula Licenses Thai PD-1 Antibody to US Biopharma
Bangkok, August 6, 2025 — Chulalongkorn University has entered a landmark licensing agreement with US-based biopharmaceutical company OncoSynergy Inc., transferring the technology behind its innovative Thai-developed PD-1 antibody that could offer new hope in advancing next-generation cancer immunotherapy. The signing ceremony took place at the CU Innovation & IP Expo 2025, hosted by the university on August 4, 2025. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, stated that OncoSynergy's decision to pursue the licensing agreement reflects its strong confidence in the quality and potential of Chula's PD-1 antibody research. This reaffirms Chulalongkorn's strategy not merely to keep pace with global trends, but to lead with innovations that meet world-class standards. Associate Professor Dr. Jittima Luckanagul, Executive Director of Strategic Research Advancement and the CU Innovation Hub, noted that this marks the first time a foreign company has licensed a novel drug innovation originating from Thailand. She added that OncoSynergy recognises the high potential of the university's research to advance into clinical trials and, ultimately, new drug registration an effort that may require an investment of between USD 500 million and 1 billion. In addition to the licensing fee, the university will gain valuable experience in the new drug registration process through collaborative research with OncoSynergy. The US-based company is a clinical-stage immuno-oncology firm dedicated to significantly improving outcomes for patients battling the most aggressive forms of cancer. Under this collaboration, if OncoSynergy successfully develops a new drug based on Chulalongkorn University's PD-1 antibody innovation, the parties have expressed a shared intention to explore mechanisms that would help ensure Thai patients have access to the therapy at a reasonable price. Dr. Trairak Pisitkun, Director of the Center of Excellence in Systems Biology at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, shared that the centre began its research into cancer immunotherapy nearly a decade ago, supported by funding from the university, government agencies, and public donations. At the time, immunotherapy was an emerging and promising approach to harness the patient's immune system to fight cancer. Today, it has become a cornerstone of cancer treatment, encompassing three major modalities: cell-based therapies, cancer vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies many of which have since gained regulatory approval from health authorities worldwide. Dr. Trairak noted that preclinical studies of the novel PD-1 monoclonal antibody in multiple mouse tumour models demonstrated strong efficacy against solid tumours. Compared to commercially available PD-1 antibody drugs, the candidate exhibited superior PD-1 binding activity, with a lower dissociation constant (Kd), indicating tighter target engagement. In head-to-head assays, it outperformed most existing PD-1 antibodies in both binding affinity and PD-1/PD-L1 blockade. However, the path from successful animal studies to human clinical trials and ultimately to regulatory approval and commercial availability is long, complex, and capital-intensive. Chulalongkorn University anticipates that the full development process will take at least five years and require an investment of several hundred million US dollars. To accelerate this journey, the university has partnered with OncoSynergy, leveraging the company's experience in advancing novel immunotherapies toward clinical application. Immunotherapy is gaining global recognition for its ability to harness the body's own immune system to fight cancer, offering a more precise and potentially less toxic alternative to traditional treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Dr. Trairak explained that PD-1 antibody drugs do not directly kill cancer cells, but instead work by blocking the PD-1 immune checkpoint a protein that suppresses the immune system's response to cancer. By inhibiting this pathway, the drugs help restore the immune system's ability to recognise and attack cancer cells. These antibodies are typically used in combination with other treatments including immunotherapies, surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy tailored to each patient's needs. He added that other forms of immunotherapy include CAR-T cell therapy, which engineers a patient's own T cells to better target cancer, and cancer vaccines, which train the immune system to recognise tumour-specific antigens for more effective elimination. The novel PD-1 antibody platform was a highlight of the CU Innovation & IP Expo 2025, underscoring Chulalongkorn University's growing leadership in cutting-edge cancer immunotherapy. The event showcased the university's ability to translate advanced biomedical research into globally competitive innovations. Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, emphasised that the CU Innovation Expo is more than a display of inventions it serves as a vital platform to build a strong research and innovation ecosystem in Thailand. 'This is not merely an exhibition of Chula's work,' he stated, 'but a call to action for Thai entrepreneurs to recognise the value of homegrown innovations that meet international standards of research and development.' The PD-1 antibody project represents a national milestone, demonstrating that Thailand is capable of producing world-class therapeutic innovations. The Expo featured over 50 standout innovations across five sectors food & agriculture, health & wellness, design, deep tech, and environment and attracted more than 200 companies. Chulalongkorn University is actively fostering partnerships between Thai companies, startups, and researchers through business matching and licensing opportunities. Partners benefit from unique advantages, including tax incentives and intellectual property privileges, while gaining access to world-class research teams at the university. 'We aim to position our research not only to keep pace with the world, but to deliver real impact practical innovations that serve the Thai people at every level of society,' Prof. Wilert concluded. 'This reflects the university's evolving role not just in education, but in driving economic growth and generating global value from Thai innovations.'
Bangkok Post
16-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Applications open for a groundbreaking leadership course at Chula's 'SoftEx 2025'
From today until July 31, applications are open for "SoftEx 2025"-- an exclusive executive training programme where the Creative Economy Agency (CEA), in collaboration with Chulalongkorn Business School (CBS), invites visionary leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs to take part in reshaping Thailand's future through creativity and culture. This groundbreaking course -- the first of its kind in the country -- is designed to elevate Thai leadership by equipping participants with the tools needed to drive the creative economy and leverage soft power as strategic assets for national development. As the world shifts towards ideas, culture and innovation, creative economy and soft power have become essential engines for global influence. Countries like South Korea and Japan have demonstrated how storytelling, music, food and identity can redefine national brands and generate real economic value. Thailand already holds vast cultural capital -- from rich traditions and culinary excellence to music, design and the arts -- but lacks a unified, strategic mechanism to amplify these strengths. "SoftEx 2025" aims to fill that gap by building a new generation of leaders who can translate cultural potential into long-term, sustainable growth. Developed with input from top thinkers and global experts, "SoftEx 2025" offers a dynamic curriculum that blends theory with hands-on experience. The programme is anchored in two key areas: understanding the foundations of creative economy and soft power and crafting long-term strategies for sustainability. Through in-depth case studies, collaborative workshops and interactive lectures, participants will explore how to turn cultural identity into global influence, build effective brand narratives and integrate creative policy into public and private sector agendas. Participants will also gain first-hand experience through site visits to Thailand's leading creative cities and organisations that have successfully implemented soft power. Among the distinguished speakers and facilitators are names such as Dr Surapong Suebwonglee, Prof Dr Wilert Puriwat, Dr Chakrit Pichayangkul, Benjamin Webb and Assoc Prof Dr Wiriya Techarungroj. Together with international experts and creative pioneers, they will share real-world insights and strategies that participants can directly apply within their own contexts -- whether in business, government, or civic innovation. The course is also designed to foster dialogue and connection through panel discussions and networking opportunities to create a space for collaboration that extends well beyond the classroom. "SoftEx 2025" will run from August to September, with a total programme fee of 129,000 baht (inclusive of VAT and exclusive site visits). Graduates will receive a certificate from Chulalongkorn University, signifying not just completion of the course, but readiness to lead transformative change in the creative economy space. Beyond education, participants gain access to a powerful network of senior leaders across sectors -- an invaluable asset in advancing national initiatives and cross-sector collaborations rooted in culture and innovation.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Tie up rolls out novel e-Transcript service
State enterprise Thailand Post has joined forces with Chulalongkorn University to launch an e-Transcript service, a pioneering system for issuing academic transcripts in digital format via its Prompt Post application. The service is set to begin operations in the third quarter of 2025. The tie-up ushers in a service that is the first of its kind in Thailand, elevating academic document delivery by making it faster, more secure and accessible anytime and from anywhere, the partners note. Thailand Post aims to expand the service nationwide, with the goal of establishing a digital documentation standard across educational institutions, and potentially extending its applications to public and private sector organisations in the near future. Prof Wilert Puriwat, president of Chulalongkorn University, said the collaboration with Thailand Post represents a significant step forward in making Chulalongkorn University the first institution in Thailand to fully implement a comprehensive e-Transcript system -- one that ensures both accuracy and robust security. "This initiative revolutionises how university registrar offices operate. It improves workflow efficiency, reduces processing time, helps prevent document forgery and minimises the risk of data breaches." Most importantly, it offers external stakeholders, such as employers or universities, confidence that the information issued by Chulalongkorn University is verified and authentic, said Prof Wilert. Asst Prof Ake Pattaratanakun, chief brand officer of Chulalongkorn University and chairman of the executive board of Thailand Post, added that Thailand Post is confident that in 2025 its digital business roadmap will transform Thailand Post from a logistics provider into a trusted platform and data service partner across sectors. Dhanant Subhadrabandhu, president of Thailand Post, said the e-Transcript service offers a seamless digital solution for students to request academic records, sent directly to their Thailand Post digital postboxes via the Prompt Post app. This innovation offers multiple advantages -- document encryption for security and fraud prevention, 24/7 access via any device and real-time integration with external databases via an application programming interface. It also aligns with the principles of green universities, reducing paper waste and providing secure, centralised data management within a personal digital postbox, he added. "Users can monitor every step of the process -- from request submission and approval to delivery -- ensuring transparency and peace of mind." Prof Mana Sriyudthsak, director of registrar, Chulalongkorn University, noted that the integration of e-Transcript via Prompt Post makes Chulalongkorn the first university in Thailand to make its registrar operations fully digital.
Korea Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
From Campus to Cockpit: Chula-Thai Airways Unite for a Future-Ready Thailand
BANGKOK, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways International Public Company Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote and develop educational potential and knowledge exchange to create value for organizations and society. This collaboration encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at driving sustainable development at the organizational, national, and international levels. The MoU was signed on May 29, 2025, at Room 111 of the Maha Chulalongkorn Building by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The purpose of this collaboration is to foster cooperation in education, research, innovation development, and knowledge exchange between academia and business sectors. The aim is to adapt to societal and technological changes while creating value for both organizations and society. Additionally, the partnership supports human resource development, lifelong learning, and upskilling of personnel, students, and the general public through co-created learning materials, knowledge exchange, training programs, and various creative activities. The long-term vision includes establishing new organizational value, and jointly supporting the creation of departments, academic programs, or projects aimed at enhancing professionalism, services, and related industries. The shared knowledge will be used to improve operational efficiency and strengthen relationships between public and private sectors, serving as a model of collaboration for national development. As part of the event, Chulalongkorn University hosted the fourth session of the President's Distinguished Speaker Series under the theme: "From Turbulence to Triumph: Thai Airways' Journey from Recovery to Ascent." Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat opened the event, followed by a discussion featuring Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Head of the Business Rehabilitation Plan for Thai Airways, and Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The session decoded the airline's strategic turnaround from loss to profit and its service excellence upgrade. The panel was moderated by Dr. Weerapong Prasongchean, guest lecturer at Chula's General Education Center. Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat remarked: "The role of universities today goes beyond simply delivering education — it includes learning from real-life experiences. These experiences become truly meaningful when we learn from actual challenges. It is an honor to learn from Thai Airways' transformation, a national organization of the Thai people. Both Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways share a similar mission — to go global, acting as gateways to Thailand. Our efforts are, therefore, genuinely in service of the nation." Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, commenting on Thai Airways' recovery, stated: "It has now been five years since Thai Airways filed for business rehabilitation with the Central Bankruptcy Court. Soon, the court is expected to issue an order concluding the rehabilitation process, which would mean Thai Airways can once again operate as a regular public company and resume stock trading on the exchange. However, all staff must remain honest and resilient. Do not succumb to external pressures — otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. Weakness among executives or employees opens the door to outside interference, especially in procurement. I urge our leadership to stay strong and uphold what is right." Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, summarized: "Aviation is a complex, highly competitive industry. Thai Airways envisions becoming a high-quality airline that reflects Thai identity through its services and achieves sustainable profitability. Since our performance has improved, we've incorporated elements of Thai soft power into our identity under the theme 'Good Taste for a Good Cause,' to tell our story and restore public trust." View the photo album of this article at About Chulalongkorn University "Chulalongkorn University proudly retains its No. 1 position among Thai universities and ranks 132nd in Asia out of more than 2,000 institutions in the THE Asia University Rankings 2025 — a testament to the excellence of Thai higher education on the regional stage."
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
From Campus to Cockpit: Chula-Thai Airways Unite for a Future-Ready Thailand
BANGKOK, June 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways International Public Company Limited have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to promote and develop educational potential and knowledge exchange to create value for organizations and society. This collaboration encompasses a wide range of activities aimed at driving sustainable development at the organizational, national, and international levels. The MoU was signed on May 29, 2025, at Room 111 of the Maha Chulalongkorn Building by Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat, President of Chulalongkorn University, and Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The purpose of this collaboration is to foster cooperation in education, research, innovation development, and knowledge exchange between academia and business sectors. The aim is to adapt to societal and technological changes while creating value for both organizations and society. Additionally, the partnership supports human resource development, lifelong learning, and upskilling of personnel, students, and the general public through co-created learning materials, knowledge exchange, training programs, and various creative activities. The long-term vision includes establishing new organizational value, and jointly supporting the creation of departments, academic programs, or projects aimed at enhancing professionalism, services, and related industries. The shared knowledge will be used to improve operational efficiency and strengthen relationships between public and private sectors, serving as a model of collaboration for national development. As part of the event, Chulalongkorn University hosted the fourth session of the President's Distinguished Speaker Series under the theme: "From Turbulence to Triumph: Thai Airways' Journey from Recovery to Ascent." Professor Dr. Wilert Puriwat opened the event, followed by a discussion featuring Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, Head of the Business Rehabilitation Plan for Thai Airways, and Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways. The session decoded the airline's strategic turnaround from loss to profit and its service excellence upgrade. The panel was moderated by Dr. Weerapong Prasongchean, guest lecturer at Chula's General Education Center. Prof. Dr. Wilert Puriwat remarked: "The role of universities today goes beyond simply delivering education — it includes learning from real-life experiences. These experiences become truly meaningful when we learn from actual challenges. It is an honor to learn from Thai Airways' transformation, a national organization of the Thai people. Both Chulalongkorn University and Thai Airways share a similar mission — to go global, acting as gateways to Thailand. Our efforts are, therefore, genuinely in service of the nation." Dr. Piyasvasti Amranand, commenting on Thai Airways' recovery, stated: "It has now been five years since Thai Airways filed for business rehabilitation with the Central Bankruptcy Court. Soon, the court is expected to issue an order concluding the rehabilitation process, which would mean Thai Airways can once again operate as a regular public company and resume stock trading on the exchange. However, all staff must remain honest and resilient. Do not succumb to external pressures — otherwise, we risk repeating past mistakes. Weakness among executives or employees opens the door to outside interference, especially in procurement. I urge our leadership to stay strong and uphold what is right." Mr. Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways, summarized: "Aviation is a complex, highly competitive industry. Thai Airways envisions becoming a high-quality airline that reflects Thai identity through its services and achieves sustainable profitability. Since our performance has improved, we've incorporated elements of Thai soft power into our identity under the theme 'Good Taste for a Good Cause,' to tell our story and restore public trust." View the photo album of this article at About Chulalongkorn University "Chulalongkorn University proudly retains its No. 1 position among Thai universities and ranks 132nd in Asia out of more than 2,000 institutions in the THE Asia University Rankings 2025 — a testament to the excellence of Thai higher education on the regional stage." Social Media: Facebook: View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Chulalongkorn University Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
