Some of the leading experts in nanomedicine from Spain gathered this Tuesday for a 'summit' with representatives from Thailand to strengthen technological collaboration channels. The event, organized by the CSIC's Nanomedicine Hub and the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation (CDTI), took place at the Madrid Institute of Materials Science (ICMM-CSIC).
"The main objective is to exchange knowledge and innovations in the field of nanotechnology applied to medicine to advance more effective diagnostics and treatments," said Puerto Morales, ICMM-CSIC researcher and coordinator of the Nanomed-CSIC Hub.
The event was attended by notable figures from Thailand in the field, such as Suchada Thaensap, Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) of Thailand, as well as representatives from the Ministry's Competitiveness Program Management Unit (PMUC) and other researchers from Mahidol University in Bangkok, who presented their initiatives to foster collaboration and alliances with Spain.
From the Spanish side, the event was organized by Ricardo Rubianes, a representative of CDTI Innovation. He was joined by Puerto Morales, José Ángel Martín Gago, director of ICMM-CSIC, and several members of the Nanomedicine_CSIC Hub from various institutes (IQM, ICTP, INMA, and ICMM), who presented their technological capabilities in nanomedicine.
Fernando Herranz, from the Institute of Medicinal Chemistry (IQM-CSIC), discussed nanoradiomaterials for therapy and multimodal molecular imaging; Concepción Serrano, from ICMM-CSIC, presented a project using nanomaterials to repair spinal cords; Jesús Martínez de la Fuente, from the Institute of Nanoscience and Materials of Aragón (INMA-CSIC-UZ), showcased nanoactuators for therapy and diagnosis; María Rosa Aguilar, from the Institute of Science and Technology of Polymers (ICTP-CSIC), presented her new nanoparticles and polymeric medicines; and finally, Ricardo García, also from ICMM-CSIC, explained how advanced force microscopy methods are helping to advance molecular medicine and mechanobiology.
After a roundtable discussion between the delegations from both countries, the Spanish and Thai representatives visited the facilities of the Madrid Institute of Materials Science, where they were able to appreciate various systems for microwave synthesis, 3D printing, atomic force microscopy, among others.
Development of the healthcare sector in Thailand and avenues for technological cooperation
CDTI Innovation explains that many emerging economies, such as Thailand, have ambitious research and development (R&D) plans in the field of nanotechnology: their government needs to balance short-term health needs with long-term technological investment. "However, while this emerging economy has the ongoing responsibility to strengthen its healthcare system and provide greater access to medicine, nanotechnology could, in the long run, save lives by making diagnostics and treatments more effective," said Rubianes.
The healthcare sector in Thailand, which provides universal drug coverage, has experienced unprecedented development in recent years: current spending is around 6.6% of GDP, and the sector is expected to generate revenues of 47.9 billion USD by 2026. "The rise of medical tourism and the good value for money of the services it offers make Thailand one of the most competitive destinations," explains the Centre for the Development of Technology and Innovation of Spain, which in fact organized a similar summit last summer, this time in Bangkok.
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