GSK joins together with Mahidol University, PMU-C and depa to promote the use of AI

technology to develop innovative medicines

Increasing Thailand’s competitiveness at the international level

(25 October 2022) Today at Siam Kempinski Hotel, Prof. Dr. Siriruek Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, presided over the “AI in Drug Discovery, Ahead Together for Future Healthcare” seminar that involves the use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to produce innovative medicines to move towards the future of healthcare. The event was organized by GlaxoSmithKline Company Limited (GSK) and featured Mahidol University; Mahidol Institute of Artificial Intelligence; Program Management Unit for National Competitiveness Enhancement (PMU-C); and the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), with the aim to exchange and pass on knowledge about using AI technology to take the Thai pharmaceutical industry to the next level and increase the country’s competitiveness at the international level.  Experts in AI and health technology from the public, private, and educational sectors joined the seminar to exchange insights and ideas.

Prof. Dr. Siriruek Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, presided over the “AI in Drug Discovery, Ahead Together for Future Healthcare” seminar at Siam Kempinski Hotel on 25 October 2022. The seminar topic addressed the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technology to produce innovative medicines to move towards the future of healthcare.

Prof. Dr. Sirirurg Songsivilai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, said, “The Ministry fully recognises the importance of moving Thailand forward through science, technology, and innovation. Therefore, we focus on the development and use of science and technology for research and development through collaborations involving universities, government agencies, and the private sector to develop innovations for commercial use to increase Thailand’s competitiveness and progress to be on par with other countries. The ministry encourages all agencies to apply AI and health-related technologies for proactive and extensive development in a variety of fields, especially medicines and vaccines that will benefit the country in the long run. We also support the policy of promoting Thailand to be a Medical Hub and respond to the development of technology as part of the Thailand 4.0 initiative.”

Mr. Viriya Chongphaisal, General Manager of GlaxoSmithKline (Thailand) Co., Ltd. (GSK), said, “GSK, a leading company in developing biopharma and applying AI technology for the development and research of innovative medicines, supports Thailand playing an important role by adopting AI technology to develop innovative medicines to increase the country’s competitiveness at the international level. This seminar serves as a platform to exchange knowledge about how to use AI technology to develop innovative medicines and push forward AI projects in the country. AI technology is pivotal in the manufacturing process of innovative medicines and vaccines. It is considered one of the foundations supporting Thailand’s sustainable economic growth based on the new S-curve industries in line with the Bio-Circular-Green Economic Model (BCG), which aims to develop the country’s integrated economy. GSK is committed to supporting state agencies in driving health-related AI technology projects, which

reinforces our company’s commitment to combining scientific knowledge with workforce and technological advantages to get ahead in preventing various diseases.”

Prof. Dr. Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, said, “Mahidol University is committed to preparing graduates to be a driving force in developing the country with changes that benefit both Thai and global society. The university values the application of AI technology in every field of medicine and healthcare along with the operational advancement of the Mahidol Institute of Artificial Intelligence, with integrated research projects in collaboration with several agencies, including many leading domestic and international universities. Mahidol University specialises in leveraging AI technology to detect and diagnose diseases and is currently using AI to invent and produce innovative medicines. AI technology will ensure accuracy and precision in medicine production and reduce research and development cycle time, stimulating the advancement of the medical industry and drug development.”

Also at the seminar, Dr. Kim Branson, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning at GSK, shared knowledge and experiences using AI technology for drug discovery. Assoc. Dr. Tiranee Achalakul, Director of the Government Big Data Institute (GBDi), along with members of a leading AI-based drug discovery research project funded by the Program Management Unit for Competitiveness Enhancement (PMU-C) also shared their insights and experiences. These researchers are Asst. Prof. Dr. Jaturong Pratuangdejkul, Faculty of Pharmacy; Asst. Prof. Dr. Pornchai Bumroongsri, Faculty of Engineering; and Dr. Tipajin Thaipisuthkul, Faculty of Information and Communication Technology from Mahidol University; along with Dr. Natapol Pornputtapong, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chulalongkorn University.