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[Jai Dee]

Thai researchers can synthesize anti-bird flu medicine in a lab

Thailand is now successful in synthesizing the anti-bird flu vaccine in a laboratory. The vaccine will be developed in the industrial sector, so the country does not have to import the medicine from abroad.

Mr. Pravich Rattanapien, the Science and Technology Minister, said a team of biotech researchers and Chulalongkorn University researchers are able to systhesize oseltamivir phosphate, which is an anti-bird flu medicine. Following such success, Thailadn will be able to develop Tamiflu at an industrial level, in order to deal with the H5N1 virus.

The National Science and Technology Development Agency and the Government Pharmaceutical Organization will work together in passing on this technology and development to the industrial sector. Mr. Pravich said Thailand is ready and capable to deal with the bird flu outbreak by itself.

Meanwhile, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, the Deputy Minister of Public Health, said this achievement is considered positive as the medicine can be distributed to members of the public in the future.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 August 2006

[Jai Dee]

Thailand will market its locally-produced anti-bird flu drug within six months

Thailand has been able to synthesize anti-bird flu drug and now plans to produce and market it for domestic use within six months.

Caretaker Science and Technology Minister Prawit Rattanapian (ประวิช รัตนเพียร) said the synthesis of the drug, oseltamivier, was carried out jointly by researchers of the National Centre of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology and Chulalongkorn University.

Mr. Prawit said the Government Pharmaceutical Organization will soon start commercial production of the drug using raw materials in the country.

The drug will be distributed in the market after its quality and safety are endorsed by the Food and Drug Administration, he said, adding the distribution will help save costs on imported anti-bird flu drug from other countries.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 04 August 2006

[astral]

Does this mean they have come up with an original vaccine,
or are they just copying someone elses?

Even the major international companies are only just coming out with vaccines, so any Thai claim makes me very dubious.

[xbusman]

not a vaccine or anything like a vaccine. Its a drug that makes it harder for any H series flu attach to healthy cells. They THINK that if may slow down H5N1 enough to prevent the cykotine storm that kills the great majority of patients.

At this time, no one knows what the H5N1 virus will look like in a human to human form so any vaccine is a shot in the dark.

If H5N1 continues to mutate, it could end up very resistant to Oseltimivir therapy, the key word is could. The good news is that flu strains resistant to Tamiflu are generally not very virulent. So it might be a trade we could live with as it were.

My understanding is that this drug is one of the most complicated to make. I wonder how accurate the Thai drug is. Hope we never have to find out.

[VanZam]

There is no proof that Tamiflu even works or will work on current and future strains of H5N1.

Wonder whos turn it is to get rich off this one.

Edited by VanZam, 2006-08-04 16:21:29.

[AlexLah]

Hi all,

Go here: http://www.whale.to/vaccine/sf1.html

It is a long read but worth it.

Take care all!

Alex