Discussing cooperation in vaccine production in Vietnam

For the first time, a Vietnamese private enterprise has signed a cooperation agreement on transferring advanced vaccine production technology from a world- leading corporation to produce many important vaccines right in Vietnam.

The VNVC vaccination center system and the world's leading pharmaceutical group Sanofi (France) have just signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in producing some of Sanofi's vaccines at VNVC's factory in Vietnam.

For the first time, a Vietnamese private enterprise has signed a cooperation agreement on transferring advanced vaccine production technology from a world-leading corporation to produce many important vaccines right in Vietnam.

The signing ceremony took place right after the official state visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam with strong orientations on enhancing cooperation between the two countries within the framework of scientific cooperation and innovation in trade and investment, including the healthcare sector, which has a tradition of good cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Sanofi is a French pharmaceutical company famous for being the world's leading manufacturer of high-quality drugs and vaccines and supplying them globally, including Vietnam.

During its 71 years in Vietnam, Sanofi has had many important activities in scientific research, supplying drugs and vaccines, supporting training and experience for medical staff and the community in many fields.

In this cooperation, Sanofi will share its extensive knowledge and expertise in biotechnology with VNVC to facilitate the gradual production of essential vaccines at VNVC's factory in Vietnam.

This important cooperation not only increases easier access to vaccines for the Vietnamese people but also contributes to ensuring a stable and proactive vaccine supply and significantly reducing many costs.

This event affirms the strong capacity of the VNVC Vaccination System in the field of distribution, import, and implementation of safe, high-quality vaccines in Vietnam, which is highly appreciated by its partner Sanofi. At the same time, it shows the pioneering role of VNVC in innovation, in-depth international cooperation in science and technology, and large investment to develop modern vaccine production capacity for Vietnam.

Present at the signing ceremony, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, former Minister of Health of Vietnam, Honorary President of the Vietnam - France Friendship and Cooperation Association, and vaccine expert, said this is a memorable event in the field of vaccine production in Vietnam.

For the first time, a Vietnamese private enterprise has signed a cooperation agreement on transferring advanced vaccine production technology from a world-leading corporation to produce many important vaccines right in Vietnam.

This demonstrates the rise of Vietnamese science and business in mastering high technology and techniques in vaccine research and production. At the same time, it helps Vietnam have the opportunity to master future vaccine sources, especially vaccine production technology, not just depending on imported sources.

According to Ms. Tien, the Pharmaceutical Law, Investment Law and Tax Law that will soon be issued by the National Assembly will create maximum conditions for the transfer of high technology and techniques, especially specialized drugs and vaccines.

That will help Vietnamese businesses develop, while ensuring that Vietnamese people have access to high-tech pharmaceutical and vaccine products.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang also highly appreciated the cooperation between VNVC and Sanofi as a continuation of the policy of raising the level of cooperation between Vietnam and France, specifically in the medical field, especially vaccine production cooperation between two large enterprises of the two countries.

Medical cooperation between the two countries has always been focused on by senior leaders, experts and policy makers of both sides from the past to the present.

He believes that innovation, application and technology transfer in the medical field are inevitable trends today and hopes that units will continue to promote them in the coming time.

Mr. Burak Pekmezci, Country Director of Sanofi Vietnam, said that Sanofi is one of the world's leading vaccine manufacturers, with more than half a billion people worldwide trusting its products every year. In Vietnam alone, in 2023, Sanofi provided more than seven million doses of high-quality vaccines.

“With many years of experience in vaccine production, Sanofi wishes to share knowledge and contribute to the development of the healthcare industry as well as improve public health in Vietnam,” said Mr. Burak Pekmezci.

Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of VNVC Vaccination System, said that in the near future, VNVC will build a vaccine and biological product manufacturing plant with the world's leading modern technology according to EU GMP standards (good manufacturing practices according to European standards) in Long An province.

VNVC focuses on first cooperating with Sanofi to produce some important vaccines and biological drugs, thereby proactively supplying them to Vietnam.

This plan is implemented in accordance with the orientation of the National Strategy on protecting, caring for and improving public health to 2030, with a vision to 2045, approved by the Prime Minister on January 23, 2024.

Mr. Ngo Chi Dung hopes that the cooperation between Vietnam's leading vaccination system and the world's leading pharmaceutical group Sanofi will help Vietnam improve its capacity to produce high-quality vaccines.

“This strategic partnership will play an important role in promoting discussions and cooperation, focusing on knowledge sharing, production cooperation and technology transfer, based on mutually agreed terms, in line with the strategic goals of both VNVC and Sanofi,” Mr. Ngo Chi Dung shared.

According to Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Vietnam has now produced a number of vaccines using fairly simple technology, mainly serving the national vaccination program. Meanwhile, the need for vaccination for children and adults is increasing.

Therefore, efforts to participate in the production chains of vaccine companies is an important strategy to proactively produce vaccines, limit vaccine shortages, and help Vietnam be proactive in epidemic prevention strategies.

"We really need to improve and master modern vaccine production technologies, according to new international standards, and strongly expand production capacity to quickly produce high-quality vaccines "made in Vietnam", thereby meeting the increasing vaccination needs of people in the new context," Mr. Ngo Chi Dung affirmed.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/thao-luan-hop-tac-san-xuat-vac-xin-tai-viet-nam-d227042.html