Major breakthrough for Thai medicine: PSU Faculty of Medicine partners with Bangkok Hospital Phuket to advance CAR-T Cell Therapy and expand access to world-class cancer treatment
The Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University (PSU), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bangkok Hospital Phuket Co., Ltd. to strengthen collaboration in medical services, academic development, and research on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T Cell) therapy and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). The partnership aims to expand patient access to advanced cellular therapies while elevating treatment standards to the international level.
The signing ceremony was held on June 24, 2026. Representing the Faculty of Medicine were Assistant Professor Dr. Kittipong Riabroi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine; Assistant Professor Dr. Nalinee Kovitwanawong, Vice Dean for Administration; and Associate Professor Dr. Jakrawadee Julamanee, Director of the Center of Excellence for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. They signed the agreement with representatives of Bangkok Hospital Phuket Co., Ltd.
The partnership covers medical services, education, and research related to CAR-T Cell therapy and Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs) for patients with lymphoma, leukemia, and autoimmune diseases such as Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Together, the two institutions aim to enhance the effectiveness of targeted CAR-T Cell therapy in accordance with international standards while supporting policy initiatives that will enable broader and more sustainable patient access. The long-term vision is to introduce Thai-developed medical innovations to international markets and strengthen Thailand’s position as a regional hub for advanced medical care.
Assistant Professor Dr. Kittipong Riabroi stated that CAR-T Cell therapy, which genetically engineers a patient's own T cells into highly effective cancer-fighting cells, represents one of the Faculty of Medicine’s most significant medical innovations. Developed under the name PSU CD19 CAR-T Cell, or PSU CAR-T Cell, the therapy has demonstrated remarkable clinical outcomes, achieving remission rates approaching 90 percent among eligible patients with advanced-stage cancers.
He emphasized that the collaboration with Bangkok Hospital Phuket marks an important milestone in translating university-developed innovation into wider clinical practice, allowing more patients to benefit from this life-saving treatment.
The Faculty of Medicine is also constructing a state-of-the-art CAR-T Cell manufacturing facility designed to meet international standards. Equipped with advanced closed-system manufacturing technology, the facility will reduce contamination risks, improve production efficiency, and streamline the manufacturing process. Once completed, it is expected to produce CAR-T Cell therapies for more than 100 patients annually while serving as a research and training center for developing cellular therapies targeting additional cancer types in the future.
Dr. Kongkiat Kaspet explained that Bangkok Hospital Phuket chose to partner with PSU because CAR-T Cell therapy represents one of the world's most promising advanced medical technologies. The collaboration combines the strengths of both institutions to establish a comprehensive, safe, and standardized system for delivering advanced cellular therapies.
As demand for CAR-T Cell therapy and other ATMPs continues to grow—particularly among patients in Thailand's Andaman region and international medical travelers—the Bangkok-Phuket Cancer Institute is committed to developing the necessary infrastructure, clinical services, facilities, and patient care systems to expand access to these complex treatments while maintaining the highest standards of quality and patient safety.
Beyond introducing cutting-edge technology, the collaboration represents a strategic effort to position Phuket, Southern Thailand, and the country as an international center for advanced medical treatment, supported by world-class clinical standards, research excellence, and a strong commitment to improving patient outcomes.