Chulabhorn Research Institute Launches the Product “Fa Thalai Chon Extract Capsule PC-1999 Brand” (PC-1999): Local Herbs towards Innovation of Herbal Drugs with International Standards at Chulabhorn Research Institute Convention Center
On March 30, 2026 at 2.00 p.m., the Chulabhorn Research Institute (CRI) and Panaosod Co., Ltd. held a press conference to launch the product “Fa Thalai Chon Extract Capsule PC-1999 Brand” (PC-1999), an innovation derived from a Thai herb with fever-relieving properties. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chusak Limsakul, Vice President for Administration, Building and Grounds of the CRI and Chairman of the ceremony, together with executives of the CRI and Panaosod Co., Ltd., attended the event which was held in the Meeting Room 1 at the CRI Convention Center.
A seminar entitled “Why Fa Thalai Chon PC-1999?” was also held during the event. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jutamaad Satayavivad, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Director, Laboratory of Pharmacology of the CRI, Professor Emeritus Sayomporn Sirinavin, M.D., Lecturer, Division of Infectious Disease, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Duangchit Panomvan Na Ayudhya, Advisor, Translational Research Unit of the CRI, and Mr. Pisanu Uchuwat, Chief Executive Officer of Panaosod Co., Ltd. shared insights into the research and development process, from laboratory research to the technology transfer of extract production and the prototype manufacturing of the standardized Fa Thalai Chon product for the industrial sector, with a focus on advancing innovation and increasing the product’s commercial value. Furthermore, a video presentation was shown to introduce the product, with the background of the operation of the Project to continuously develop the PC-1999 product.
The CRI is the first organization in Thailand to develop and produce Fa Thalai Chon extract using “water” as the extraction solvent, developing and building up on the traditional Thai medicinal practice of boiling the herb in water. An appropriate extraction method was developed to ensure that the extract yields the required amount of Andrographolide, the principal active ingredient. This water-based extraction process reduces production costs compared with alcohol-based extraction.
The CRI registered 2 petty patents covering the preparation of the water-based extract, and has also developed analytical methods for 4 important active compounds in Fa Thalai Chon simultaneously, namely Andrographolide (AP1), 14-Deoxy-11, 12-didehydroandrographolide (AP3), Neoandrographolide (AP4), and 14-deoxyandrographolide (AP6). These methods are used to control the quantity of the active compounds in Fa Thalai Chon and to maximize the yield of the principal active ingredients, especially Andrographolide. This led to the development of the product “Fa Thalai Chon Extract Capsule PC-1999 Brand” (PC-1999), with each capsule containing 230 mg of extract standardized to provide 10 mg of the active ingredient Andrographolide. Dissolution testing demonstrated that the water-based extraction technology enables the Fa Thalai Chon to dissolve effectively, allowing efficient release and absorption of the active ingredients into the body. The research work of the research team at the CRI has been published in leading international journals since 2004, in total 18 titles, up till the present, and was honored with a national research award in the fiscal year 2024 at the “very good” level from the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) for the research entitled “Fa Thalai Chon: From Basic Research to Application”.
This achievement in the study and research of the herbal plant Fa Thalai Chon by the CRI fulfills the intention of Professor Dr. Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana, President of the CRI, who has tirelessly laid an important foundation of drug security for the nation and the Thai people. Her Royal Highness has embraced the noble intention of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej The Great as Her Royal Policy in directing the CRI to continually apply scientific and technological knowledge to elevate the quality of life of the Thai people since the establishment of the CRI in 1987 up till the present.
The CRI initiated the Fa Thalai Chon research and development project at the Ban Thapthim Siam 05 in Sakaeo Province in 1999 with the aim of generating income for local villagers by building up on the herbal plants from the project to develop high-quality herbal products. At present, the CRI has transferred the technology for producing Fa Thalai Chon water-based extract and water-based extract capsule to Panaosod Co., Ltd. Indeed, this constitutes a collaboration between the research and the private sectors in development and production on an industrial scale, which plays an important role in technology transfer to translate research works into actual production. The product has been granted a herbal drug registration license by the Food and Drug Administration, Ministry of Public Health, under the product name “Fa Thalai Chon Extract Capsule PC-1999 Brand” (PC-1999). It is considered an industrial-scale prototype with quality control throughout every stage of production, including the quality control of raw materials (upstream), the control of active ingredient levels in the extract (midstream), and the production of the Fa Thalai Chon water-based extract capsules (downstream). This achievement advances extraction technology while elevating Thai herbal medicines towards global standards.
Public Relations Section
Office of the President
March 31, 2026
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