The Thailand Center of Excellence for Life Sciences (TCELS) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation has entered into a collaborative agreement with Quality Plus Aesthetic International Co., Ltd., and Phoenixict Co., Ltd. (Sinwattana) for the further development of the MELB (Making Life Better) Platform to support new normal practices after the COVID-19 outbreak as well as the life sciences industry. The signing ceremony was held on 29 June 2020 at the TCELS head office in Bangkok.
Dr. Sirasak Teparkum, Deputy CEO of TCELS, explained that the Center and its two strategic partners initiated the MELB Platform, a crowd-funding model for the medical supply chain, to contribute medical supplies to hospitals during the COVID-19 outbreak in Thailand. The three parties later agreed to develop the second phase of the MELB Platform as a center that would link the healthcare supply chain and demand, and also serve as a supportive mechanism for fund raising, matchmaking between manufacturers, inventors and medical personnel, standard testing, as a database of product registration as well as the development of various platforms. MELB is expected to strengthen the medical and healthcare supply chain and improve the quality of life of the Thai people.
Wuttipong Panitsettakorn, Managing Director, Quality Plus Aesthetic International, noted that the first case of the novel coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was recorded in China late last year, then spread around the world and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March. As of 02 July 2020, 10,665,758 cases of COVID-19 have been reported, including 515 973 deaths. In Thailand, there have been 3,179 confirmed cases while the death toll remained at 58.
Wuttipong explained that the company was quick to realize the importance of collaborating with TCELS and platform Phoenixict Co., Ltd. (Sinwattana) to develop crowd funding. The platform was designed to link healthcare suppliers with those wanting to help physicians and medical personnel through funding. Hospitals could request the medical supplies via the MELB Platform. In the next phase, the TCELS, Quality Plus Aesthetic International and Phoenixict will develop the platform to systematically promote the life sciences industry both in terms of research and business.
"It will be a new source of capital for the healthcare & beauty industry and other businesses as well as a catalyst for deep technologies. In addition, the platform will enable researchers and innovators to translate research works into commercial products and help people enjoy a better quality of life,” Wuttipong said.
Hong Sin Kwek, CEO and Founder of Phoenixict Co., Ltd. (Sinwattana), added that thanks to the experience and expertise of Sinwattana in both crowdfunding and crowd investment based on a concept
"We will not let funds be an obstacle for you", the company has been able to connect its crowdfunding platform with the MELB Platform to meet the needs of medical and healthcare industry in Thailand. Both new businesses and those who want to create innovations can use the crowdfunding platform to achieve sustainable outcomes and change lives. In addition, the platform is based on the principle of the sufficiency economy and 17 UN sustainable development goals. It offers a new alternative to gaining support from the capital market allowing those who dare to change and are ready to drive transform their ideas into practical actions.