VNVC and Sanofi Signed Partnership to Explore Vaccine Manufacturing in Vietnam

Vietnam's premier VNVC Immunization Center System and Sanofi, a global pharmaceutical leader headquartered in France, have just signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlining a collaborative venture to manufacture select Sanofi vaccines at VNVC's state-of-the-art facility in Vietnam.

The signing ceremony took place immediately following the state visit to France by General Secretary and President To Lam, with strong orientations toward enhancing cooperation between the two nations within the framework of scientific and innovative collaboration on trade and investment, including the healthcare sector, which has a tradition of strong cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Sanofi is a renowned French pharmaceutical company, a global leader in the production of high-quality drugs and vaccines, supplying them worldwide, including to Vietnam. Over its 71 years in Vietnam, Sanofi has undertaken numerous significant activities in scientific research, the supply of drugs and vaccines, and the provision of training and expertise to healthcare professionals and the community across various fields.

According to the cooperation orientation agreement, Sanofi will broadly share its knowledge and expertise in biotechnology with VNVC to facilitate the gradual introduction of essential vaccine production at VNVC's plant in Vietnam. This significant collaboration is expected not only to enhance ease of access to vaccines for the Vietnamese people but also to contribute to ensuring a stable supply of vaccines, thereby contributing to better healthcare for the population.

This event affirms the strong capabilities of the VNVC Immunization Center System in the distribution, import, and implementation of safe, high-quality vaccination programs across Vietnam, which are highly valued by Sanofi. It also demonstrates VNVC's pioneering role in innovation, in-depth international cooperation in science and technology, and significant investment aimed at developing modern vaccine production capabilities for Vietnam.

Present at the signing ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, former Minister of Health of Vietnam, Honorary President of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association, and an immunization expert, stated that this is a memorable event in Vietnam's vaccine production sector. This marks the first time a private Vietnamese enterprise has signed a cooperation agreement on technology transfer with a world-leading corporation like Sanofi to produce important vaccines locally in Vietnam.

This demonstrates the rise of Vietnamese science and enterprises in mastering high technology and techniques in vaccine research and production. Simultaneously, it provides Vietnam with the opportunity to control its vaccine supply in the future, particularly in mastering vaccine production technology, rather than relying solely on imports.

According to Ms. Tien, the forthcoming Law on Pharmacy, Law on Investment, and Law on Taxation, soon to be promulgated by the National Assembly, will maximize opportunities for technology and high-tech transfer, especially concerning specialty drugs and vaccines. This will empower Vietnamese enterprises to develop and simultaneously ensure that Vietnamese citizens have access to high-tech pharmaceutical and vaccine products.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, the Vietnamese Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to France, also assessed that the collaborative discussions between VNVC Immunization Center System and Sanofi are a continuation of Vietnam and France's policy of elevating cooperation, specifically in the healthcare sector, and particularly in vaccine production collaboration between two major enterprises from the two countries. Healthcare cooperation between the two nations has consistently been prioritized by high-level leaders and specialists, and policy makers from both sides, historically to present day. He suggested that innovation, application, and technology transfer in the healthcare sector are inevitable trends today and expressed his hope that both parties will continue to promote these aspects in the time to come.

Mr. Burak Pekmezci, Country Lead of Sanofi Vietnam, stated that Sanofi is among the world’s leading vaccine manufacturers, with over half a billion people globally trusting the company’s products annually. Specifically in Vietnam, in 2023 alone, Sanofi provided over seven million doses of high-quality vaccines.

"With extensive experience in the field of vaccine production, Sanofi aspires to share its expertise and contribute to the advancement of the healthcare sector as well as improve public health in Vietnam", stated Mr. Burak Pekmezci.

Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and CEO of VNVC Immunization Center System, announced that VNVC will soon construct a state-of-the-art vaccine and biological product manufacturing facility, adhering to EU GMP standards (Good Manufacturing Practice according to European standards), in Long An province. VNVC is prioritizing initial collaboration with Sanofi with the aim of progressing towards the production of several key vaccines and biological drugs, thereby proactively supplying Vietnam. This plan is being implemented in accordance with the orientation of the National Strategy on protecting, caring for, and improving public health until 2030, with a vision towards 2045, approved by the Prime Minister on January 23, 2024.

Mr. Ngo Chi Dung expressed his hope that the collaboration between Vietnam's leading immunization system and the world's leading pharmaceutical group, Sanofi, will help Vietnam enhance its capacity to produce high-quality vaccines.

"This signing ceremony will play a pivotal role in fostering discussions and collaborations, focusing on knowledge sharing, manufacturing cooperation, and technology transfer, based on mutually agreed terms, aligning with the strategic objectives of both VNVC and Sanofi", shared Mr. Ngo Chi Dung.

According to Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Vietnam currently produces some vaccines using relatively simple technology, mainly serving the national immunization program. Meanwhile, the demand for disease prevention vaccinations for children and adults is increasing.

Over the past 8 years, VNVC has made significant efforts to negotiate and import large quantities of important vaccines, including next-generation vaccines. However, this activity is entirely dependent on manufacturers and shipping lines, and incurs considerable procedures, time, and expense. Moreover, many other critical vaccines are currently being allocated to countries experiencing outbreaks or prioritized markets.

Therefore, striving to participate in the production chains of vaccine manufacturers is a critical strategy for proactively producing vaccines, mitigating vaccine shortages, and enabling Vietnam to take the initiative in disease prevention strategies.

"We urgently need to enhance and master modern vaccine production technologies, according to new international standards, and aggressively expand production capacity to rapidly manufacture high-quality “made in Vietnam” vaccines, thereby meeting the increasing vaccination needs of the population in the new context", affirmed Mr. Ngo Chi Dung.

"This collaborative discussion further reaffirms VNVC's vision and mission to strive to provide a full range of critical vaccines and high-quality vaccination services that are easily accessible at reasonable costs for all Vietnamese people", added Mr. Ngo Chi Dung.

VNVC is Vietnam's leading and most reputable immunization center system, renowned for its scale, service quality, high level of expertise, and safety. With a team of over 10,000 doctors, nurses, and healthcare staff professionally trained in immunization safety, VNVC is the only nationwide immunization system possessing a network of hundreds of cold chains, vaccine storage cold units, and specialized refrigerated transport vehicles, all of which meet GSP standards, adhering to international standards.

As a comprehensive strategic partner with Sanofi and many leading pharmaceutical companies, since its establishment, VNVC Immunization Center System has negotiated the import of large quantities of vaccines and, together with manufacturers, brought 14 new vaccines to Vietnam, protecting the health of millions of children and adults. Currently, VNVC Immunization Center System is administering 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, Japanese encephalitis Imojev, rabies Verorab, meningococcal meningitis Menactra, hepatitis A Avaxim, quadrivalent influenza Vaxigrip Tetra, and typhoid Typhim VI.

According to the plan, VNVC Immunization Center System will negotiate to progressively participate in the production and receive technology transfer for certain vaccines within this portfolio from Sanofi.

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