The cabinet on Thursday approved a combined 3.62 billion baht budget proposed by the National Economic and Social Development Council to finance R&D on two Covid-19 vaccine projects.
According to Rachada Dhanadirek, a deputy government spokeswoman, the first project worth 2.32 billion baht is the development of a local mRNA Covid-19 vaccine, known as ChulaCOV-19, and the second is a plant-based Covid-19 vaccine, known as "Baiya Vaccine" project worth 1.3 billion baht.
Chulalongkorn University's ChulaCOV-19 and Baiya Vaccine are now in the third phase of human trials.
Developed by the Chula Vaccine Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University and its partners, the mRNA-type vaccine will be the country's second virus vaccine to be tested on humans, after the egg-based vaccine against Covid-19 produced by the Government Pharmaceutical Organisation.
The "Baiya Vaccine", a subunit vaccine, is developed by Baiya Phytopharm Co, a startup under Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Protein is extracted from the leaves and used to produce a vaccine that will boost immunity to fight coronavirus infections. Lab tests on animals have found that the vaccine is highly effective in boosting immunity.
In a separate development, Deputy Prime Minister Supattanapong Punmeechaow said yesterday he will call a joint meeting with every foreign ambassador to help communicate the government's measures to attract wealthy foreigners to enjoy long-stay visas.
The cabinet greenlighted on Sept 14 a stimulus and investment promotion package aimed at attracting wealthy foreigners and highly-skilled professionals from overseas to help revive the post-Covid-19 economy.
Benefits in the package include a 10-year visa for approved special visitors and their spouses and children.
The package also includes automatic work permits, the same income tax rate as citizens, tax exemption for income earned abroad and ownership of properties and land.
The government has four targeted groups for the scheme.
They are wealthy frequent travellers who have assets in several countries; wealthy pensioners who are at least 50 with sufficient pensions to cover the costs of living in Thailand; work-from-Thailand professionals who are interested in living in Thailand while working remotely for employers in other countries; and highly skilled professionals.
