Gibthai eyes Bt1-bn life-science sales
Gibthai, an importer of life-science products such as DNA-test equipment, reported sales last year of Bt800 million, lower than its original target of Bt1 billion.
The company distributes 34 products of scientific equipment, reagents and chemicals in the field of life science and biotechnology for universities, hospitals, research institutes, pharmaceuticals, electronics and the food and beverage industry. "About 90 per cent of our products have been supplied to state agencies like the Public Health Ministry and major public hospitals and universities for their research projects related to life-science technology," managing director Nivest Prayoonthien, who founded Gibthai in July 1985, said yesterday. "The previous government launched many life-science projects, including the Public Health Ministry's Bt1.5-billion vaccine production, as well as the anti-Aids drug project of the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation, worth more than Bt1.2 billion," said Nivest. "However, these scientific projects were halted, because the previous government lacked the money to subsidise them." Gibthai reached Bt1 billion in sales of life-science products in 2005, the year Thailand was hit by Sars and bird-flu outbreaks. The company has set an aggressive target to achieve Bt1 billion in sales this year. "Last year we built and supplied two mobile lab and clean-room units to the Health Ministry. The mobile units have travelled to regions around Thailand to investigate bird flu. About six new mobile units will be built and supplied to the ministry this year," said Nivest. Nivest said there were currently some 10,000 researchers in the area of life-science technology in Thailand, half at an advanced level. However, many research projects have been put on the shelf without any further development into products for commercial benefit. He added that the government spent only 2 per cent of the national budget each year on research activities. Only Charoen Pokphand in the private sector has achieved a significant amount of life-science research and allocates a huge investment of more than Bt1 billion for research every year. Gibthai will join BioAsia 2007, Thailand's first international conference and exhibition in biotechnology, to be held from November 7-9 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The event is expected to attract biotech experts from 20 countries.
Kwanchai Rungfapaisarn The Nation
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