MOU Signing and Launch of Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI)

20 September 2023

On August 10, 2023, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Sittipunt, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, along with Prof. Dr. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Roengsak Leetanaporn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Apichat Jiravuttipong, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, attended the launch of Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), funded by the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) to support advanced research and produce leading researchers for the country. The center also focuses on personnel exchange with international networks to relay knowledge and technology, as well as create innovation with high economic and social impact. An MOU was signed between the 4 leading medical schools to cooperate in developing immunotherapy research for cancer, especially cell therapy, with an emphasis on creating a mechanism for effective standardized treatment in hospitals, in collaboration with related organizations such as the Medical Council of Thailand, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Medical Sciences. In addition, establishing a national hub marks a monumental step to push forward the research with the expertise from each institution and the research networks in immunotherapy with world-class institutions, paving the way for future research and innovation.

The event featured Prof. Nattiya Hirankarn, Director of Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy (TTCI), Prof. Pa-thai Yenchitsomanus, Director of Siriraj Center of Research Excellence for Cancer Immunotherapy, Dr. Koramit Suppipat, Head of the Cancer Cellular Immunotherapy Unit, CU Cancer Immunotherapy Excellence Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jakrawadee Julamanee, Deputy Director of Research and Development Unit, Center of Excellence in Stem Cell and Cell Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Research and International Relations Affairs Assistant, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, and Head of the Steering Committee for Phenomics Research and Academic Services, who gave a summary of the activities held by each institution as well as the Hub of Talents. A database has been established compiling researchers, international researchers’ networks, expertise, research resources, and research works and projects on cancer immunotherapy, to open a platform of collaboration between domestic and international researchers, as can be accessed at https://www.ttci-th.org/. More conferences and training will also be held in the future.

Students, researchers, and any interested parties are invited to follow the Hub’s social media at Facebook: Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy and Twitter: Thailand Hub of Talents in Cancer Immunotherapy for news on activities and training. For those looking to join in a research project, please contact info.ttci.th@gmail.com.