VNVC signed a memorandum of cooperation orientation with Sanofi on October 8, creating a foundation to become the first Vietnamese private enterprise to produce vaccines with a French pharmaceutical group.
The signing ceremony took place in Paris (France), immediately after the official state visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam. Accordingly, Sanofi will support VNVC with knowledge and expertise in biotechnology, creating a foundation for essential vaccine production in Vietnam.
Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of VNVC, said that in the coming time, the unit will negotiate to gradually participate in the production and receive technology transfer of a number of drugs and vaccines that Sanofi is deploying. domestic.
Mr. Ngo Chi Dung (right) and Mr. Stephane Liceras, Director of Sanofi International Business Operations, signed the cooperation orientation on October 8. Image: VNVC
Attending the event, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, former Minister of Health, said that this is the first time a Vietnamese private enterprise has signed a technical transfer cooperation agreement with a large pharmaceutical and vaccine unit in the world. world like Sanofi.
Associate Professor Nguyen Thi Kim Tien assessed that Vietnam is rising to master high technology in vaccine production. At the same time, cooperation will help the country control the supply, not depend on imports, and make costs more reasonable.
Vietnam is one of the very few countries that is self-sufficient in many production technologies such as: inactivated vaccines, toxin, and subunits. Currently, 10 out of 11 vaccines in the Expanded Immunization Program (EPI) are produced by Vietnam itself.
The country has four state-owned enterprises and a number of private establishments that meet GMP standards – good medicine manufacturing practices, including VNVC. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, in 2015 the demand for Japanese B encephalitis vaccine for expanded vaccination is about 8 million doses, our country produces about 12 million doses per year; Measles vaccine requires 3 million doses, production capacity is about 7.5 million doses per year…
Thanks to domestic vaccines, the number of infectious disease cases has decreased thousands of times. However, Vietnam still needs more vaccines to prevent epidemics more effectively. The goal is to produce at least 5 types of vaccines that meet international standards by 2030.
Working session on October 8 between representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Vietnamese Embassy in France and the Vietnam – France Friendship Association, VNVC. Image: VNVC
VNVC is currently injecting 10 types of Sanofi vaccines including: 6 in 1 Hexaxim, 5 in 1 Pentaxim, 4 in 1 Tetraxim, 3 in 1 diphtheria pertussis tetanus Adacel, Imojev Japanese encephalitis, Verorab rabies, meningitis Menactra meningococcal brain, Avaxim hepatitis A, Vaxigrip Tetra quadrivalent influenza, Typhim VI typhoid.
Mr. Ngo Chi Dung said that through cooperation, the two sides expect to improve high-quality vaccine production capacity, modern technology, and create “made in Vietnam” vaccines to meet the increasing demand for vaccination.
Mr. Dung said that in the near future, VNVC will build a factory to produce vaccines and biological products 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 proceed with the production of a number of important vaccines and biological drugs, thereby proactively supplying to Vietnam.
Mr. Burak Pekmezci, Country Director of Sanofi Vietnam, said that in 2023, the unit will supply more than 7 million doses of high quality vaccines to the Vietnamese market. Sanofi expects to contribute to the development of the healthcare industry as well as improve community health.
Sanofi is one of the largest corporations in the world producing high-quality drugs and vaccines. The company has been present in Vietnam for more than 70 years, implementing many activities in scientific research, supplying drugs and vaccines, and supporting knowledge and experience training for medical staff and the community.
VNVC is a large vaccination system in Vietnam, with 198 vaccination centers nationwide (as of October 9) and a team of more than 10,000 doctors, nurses, and medical staff. The unit has a chain system, warehouse and specialized refrigerated transport system for vaccines, all meeting GSP standards.
Van Ha