NPI Helps Drive the Kangsadan Medical Innovation District Strategy Toward an ASEAN Medical Innovation Hub

The National Phenome Institute is strengthening collaboration with medical innovation partners, taking part in a collaboration meeting on “Developing the Kangsadan Medical Innovation District (KMID),” organized by Khon Kaen University through its Wellness and Medical Innovation District Management Center on 3 December 2025 in the Boardroom, 3rd Floor, Administration Building, Northeastern Science Park 1, Khon Kaen University.

The meeting was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Cholatip Pongskul, M.D., Director of the Wellness and Medical Innovation District Management Center, and attended by Ms. Montha Kaihirun, Director of the Startup Promotion Division, National Innovation Agency (NIA); representatives of the Thai Health Tech Trade Association; executives of the Khon Kaen University Science Park; and medical technology entrepreneurs and startups. Participants discussed strategic collaboration to develop the Kangsadan Medical Innovation District into a regional medical innovation hub for ASEAN.

The meeting explored ways to integrate collaboration among educational institutions, hospitals, the private sector and health technology entrepreneurs, as well as the concept of a real-world innovation testing area (Medical Sandbox) to accelerate research, development and the commercialization of Thai medical technologies.

The development of KMID will be guided by five core strategies:

Healthy community development

Medical innovation

Health business and wellness tourism

Organic agriculture

Sustainable environment

It will also focus on four key target technologies: Multi-Omics (Genomics and Phenomics), artificial intelligence (AI), Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine, alongside upgrading the Wellness Center and the Central Lab so that entrepreneurs and researchers can efficiently access advanced infrastructure.

The National Phenome Institute was represented by Asst. Prof. Dr. Jutarop Phetcharaburanin, Director of the National Phenome Institute, together with Dr. M.L. Manida Suksawat, Deputy Director for Academic Services, and Dr. Wassana Jamnongkan, Assistant Director for Analytical Services. They contributed academic perspectives to advance collaboration in phenomics and advanced medical innovation in support of the long-term development of the medical innovation district.

After the meeting, participants visited the National Phenome Institute, Khon Kaen University, to see its laboratory capabilities, infrastructure and research support systems, which are ready to support medical innovation at Khon Kaen University and the advancement of the country’s medical industry in the future.