Bangkok, Thailand, 29 April 2024 – MSD (Thailand) Ltd. (a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, N.J., USA (NYSE: MRK), and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University today announced the signing of an agreement for the establishment of the Clinical Site Partnership Project in Thailand. The partnership aims to enhance cooperation in the research and development (R&D) of innovative medicine and vaccines and improve clinical research standards to drive innovation around disease prevention and treatment in line with emerging diseases.

From Left to Right – Dr. Mary Srethapakdi, Managing Director of MSD (Thailand) Ltd; Mr. Werayut Kunasirirat, Senior Clinical Research Director MSD (Thailand) Ltd.; Prof. Apichat Asavamongkolkul, Dean of Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University; Assoc. Prof. Winai Ratanasuwan, Director of Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

Mr. Derek Siegers, Associate Vice President and Head of Global Clinical Trial Operations (GCTO), MSD Asia Pacific, stated, “We currently have partnerships with leading clinical research institutions in more than 18 countries worldwide, including 8 institutions in the Asia Pacific countries. These collaborations are aimed at enhancing research cooperation around the development of innovative medicines and support the prevention, and treatment of diseases that impose burdens on public health, such as oncology, infectious diseases, and vaccine-preventable diseases. This partnership with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University not only reinforces the company’s focus around clinical research, but also reflects the efforts of MSD’s research personnel, who have been closely working with clinical research sites globally for over 30 years, including Thailand. We believe that this collaboration has the potential to enhance the development of innovative medicines and vaccines along with strengthening research capabilities in Thailand in the long term.

Assoc. Prof. Winai Ratanasuwan, Director of Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES), Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, said, “The Institute is committed to becoming a leading clinical research facility in the region with the mission to create positive impacts on communities, improve health systems, and quality of life. We strive to conduct advanced innovative research that meets global standards and expands clinical practice options and various collaborations on patient-centric studies. This partnership with MSD in Thailand focuses on R&D for innovative medicines and vaccines with a shared commitment to enhancing access to innovative medicines for patients in Thailand through clinical research to improve patients’ health and quality of life.”

Dr. Mary Srethapakdi, Managing Director of MSD (Thailand) Ltd., stated, “We are honored to be facilitating the cooperation between MSD Asia Pacific’s GCTO and the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Throughout 70 years that our medicines and vaccines have helped to treat and prevent diseases in Thailand, we have worked closely with healthcare professionals, including public health agencies and stakeholders, to bring world-class medicines and vaccines that have been approved through clinical trials into Thailand. Thailand has significant potential for medicines and vaccines R&D due to the country’s readiness in human resources and experts with international standard qualifications, with potential benefits to both public health and the country’s economy.”

According to the PReMA report on the Clinical Research Impact Study in Thailand, conducted by Deloitte^[1], every baht invested in conducting clinical research studies can generate up to three times in economic returns. Such findings are reflected by the Government’s policy, which prioritizes the healthcare industry and its crucial role in the future economy. With the belief that Health is Wealth, we recognize that investment in research and development is key to fostering a healthy population and a significant driver behind the country’s economic development.

[1] The PReMa study on the Clinical Research Impact Study in Thailand, conducted by Deloitte

About Siriraj Institute of Clinical Research (SICRES)

SICRES is an academic clinical research institute that operates under the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University. Our mission is to conduct and support clinical research trials to transform patient care, improve human health, and better the community. We conduct cost-effective clinical research at international standards and provide full-service clinical trial design and management. Our vision is to become the most trusted academic clinical research organization in Southeast Asia. www.sicres.org/

About Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University

The Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital is the oldest medical institute in Thailand. It was founded in 1888 by His Majesty King Chulalongkorn. The institute seeks to produce high-quality medical graduates, research and publications, as well as medical services with international standards. The hospital’s mission is to improve the health and quality of life of Thais and the broader international community.  www.2.si.mahidol.ac.th

About MSD Thailand

MSD (THAILAND) Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., a global research-intensive biopharmaceutical company with the head office in Rahway, N.J. in the United States. We are unified in our purpose by utilizing our collective expertise to leverage science and bring innovative products to save and improve lives in Thailand. We aspire to be the leader in providing innovative medicines and vaccines and to be the most trusted healthcare partner to broaden access of our innovative products for patients. 

Today, we are proud to have contributed to improving healthcare in Thailand for over 70 years since when our first of our medicine supplied to Thailand in 1949 through a trading company. We foster a diverse and inclusive workforce and operate responsibly every day to enable a safe, sustainable, and healthy future for all people and communities.

For more information, visit www.msd-thailand.com