PSU Wins National “IP Champion 2026” Award Four Thai Probiotic Strains Transform University Research into Commercial Innovation
Prince of Songkla University (PSU), through the Intellectual Property Office, PSU Science Park (IPOP PSUSP), has received the prestigious “IP Champion 2026” Award for outstanding intellectual property in the Invention Patent/Petty Patent category for government agencies and educational institutions.
The award was presented by the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce, on 27 August 2026 during IP x Venture Rise Thailand 2026 at Hall 8, IMPACT Muang Thong Thani.
The recognition highlights PSU’s success in advancing research and innovation through systematic intellectual property management—from encouraging researchers to develop new innovations and securing intellectual property protection to transferring technologies and bringing university research into practical industrial and commercial applications.
At the heart of this year’s award-winning achievement is a “Mixed Probiotic Microorganism Preparation Formula,” protected under Petty Patent No. 17829 and developed by Professor Dr. Rawee Teanpaisan of PSU’s Faculty of Dentistry.
The innovation combines four Thai probiotic strains that work together through a synergistic effect, enhancing product effectiveness without requiring additional prebiotics or fatty acids and thereby helping to reduce production costs.
The probiotic formulation demonstrates more than 50% adhesion to epithelial cells, together with antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. It can also inhibit major animal pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, and Streptococcus suis.
Importantly, the innovation has progressed beyond the laboratory and achieved successful commercial application. PSU transferred the technology to K.M.P. Biotech Co., Ltd. for the production and commercialization of probiotic products for animals.
Sales have grown from the hundreds of thousands of baht in 2020 to millions of baht within six years, generating economic value while supporting better animal health and helping reduce antibiotic use in livestock farming. The innovation also aligns with Thailand’s Bio-Circular-Green, or BCG, Economy Model.
The Intellectual Property Office at PSU Science Park has also played an important role in establishing systems to manage and protect the intellectual property behind the innovation. This includes safeguarding production formulas, microorganism ratios, and related know-how as trade secrets, helping ensure secure technology utilization while preserving the long-term value of PSU’s intellectual assets.
Receiving the “IP Champion 2026” Award reflects the strength of PSU’s researchers and innovation ecosystem in connecting research, intellectual property, and the business sector to achieve tangible results.
By transforming scientific knowledge from the laboratory into commercially viable products, PSU continues to demonstrate how university research can generate economic value while creating sustainable benefits for industry and society.