Russian President Putin and General Secretary To Lam Witness VNVC and RDIF Collaboration on Advanced Vaccine Technology

On the evening of May 10, 2025 (Vietnam time), in Moscow, Russia, Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) signed a strategic cooperation agreement to advance research, technology transfer, and production of advanced vaccines and biologics. The signing took place in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and General Secretary To Lam. VNVC aims to introduce Russia’s promising mRNA-based cancer treatment vaccine to Vietnam soon.

The agreement was exchanged between Mr. Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the Russian President for Economic and Foreign Investment and CEO of RDIF, and Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and CEO of VNVC, in the presence of both leaders.

Under the partnership, VNVC and RDIF will collaborate to establish a robust platform for high-tech biomedical advancements, focusing on research, investment, technology transfer, and commercialization of advanced vaccines and biologics. A key priority for VNVC is to introduce Russia’s recently announced mRNA-based cancer treatment vaccine to Vietnam.

In addition to this key agreement, VNVC signed a cooperation deal with Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology to advance scientific research and biotechnology development. Research initiatives will commence soon.

As part of the broader healthcare collaboration between the two nations, VNVC also entered into an agreement with Binnopharm Group, one of Russia’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Following the signing, VNVC will initiate scientific exchanges with researchers from top Russian research institutes and hospitals to facilitate the transfer of mRNA-based vaccine research, testing, and production technologies. A key focus will be establishing a fully integrated, closed-loop vaccine production model in Vietnam, leveraging Binnopharm’s pharmaceutical expertise and other innovative Russian pharmaceutical products, with a strong emphasis on high-tech cancer diagnosis and treatment.

In December 2024, Russia’s National Medical Research Center for Radiology under the Ministry of Health announced the development of a promising mRNA-based cancer treatment vaccine, focusing on lung cancer and utilizing advanced mRNA technology.

In December 2024, the National Medical Research Center for Radiology under the Russian Ministry of Health announced that Russia is researching and developing a cancer treatment vaccine using advanced mRNA technology.

Under the RDIF-VNVC agreement, Russia’s mRNA-based vaccines will be introduced to Vietnam by VNVC starting from early-stage clinical trials, providing patients with access to some of the world’s most advanced treatment options with promising results. Conducting clinical trials of advanced biologics and vaccines in Vietnam will also streamline product registration, licensing, and commercialization upon successful outcomes.

The partnership between VNVC and esteemed Russian medical and investment organizations provides opportunities for Vietnam to gain early and comprehensive access to Russia’s latest healthcare research and innovations. This will enable the people of Vietnam and the region to benefit sooner from advanced medicines and vaccines, including Russia’s promising mRNA-based cancer treatment vaccine.

This collaboration with a leading global partner highlights the remarkable growth of Vietnam’s healthcare sector on the global stage and enhances the country’s stature in the new era. It directly supports the Politburo’s Resolution 57, signed by General Secretary To Lam on December 22, 2024, which promotes breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The scientific and technological collaboration between Vietnam and Russia is expected to create significant opportunities for advancing high-tech vaccine production and innovative cancer therapies in Vietnam.

Mr. Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the Russian President for Economic and Foreign Investment and CEO of RDIF, stated: “Russia and Vietnam share favorable conditions for investment and technology transfer, particularly in biomedicine and healthcare. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam was among the first to approve Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine. The cooperation framework announced today will play a vital role in strengthening scientific exchange and technology transfer between our nations to develop pioneering healthcare products.”

Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and CEO of VNVC, highly values the partnership with reputable Russian agencies, calling it an important milestone that opens opportunities for Vietnam to access and test vaccines using Russia’s most advanced mRNA technology. He emphasized that both sides will work to enable Vietnam’s early access not only to clinical trials and commercialization of Russia’s potential mRNA cancer vaccine but also to local production at VNVC’s Vaccine and Biological Products Factory in Long An.

“With Vietnam facing hundreds of thousands of new cancer cases and deaths each year, this cooperation paves the way for the country’s first cancer vaccine, reducing costs and enhancing patients’ quality of life. This milestone underscores Vietnam’s commitment, represented by VNVC, to international collaboration in science, technology, and investment to advance modern vaccine production in line with Resolution 57,” Mr. Ngo Chi Dung added.

VNVC, a member of the Tam Anh General Hospital Group, has collaborated extensively with leading international health organizations on vaccine and drug research to improve treatment and public health. These efforts focus on preventing non-communicable diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions, as well as infectious diseases such as pneumococcal infections and respiratory syncytial virus. VNVC has also conducted clinical research on oral immunotherapy for cancer and partnered with top global pharmaceutical companies to produce high-quality vaccines.

In Vietnam, VNVC operates the country’s leading vaccination network, with over 220 large-scale centers. With nearly a decade of experience safely vaccinating tens of millions of children and adults, VNVC boasts advanced vaccine storage capabilities, robust negotiation and import expertise, and nationwide reach. It is a key partner for global vaccine manufacturers like Sanofi, Pfizer, GSK, and MSD in scientific research, healthcare access, technology transfer, and advanced vaccine production.

Since its inception, VNVC has introduced nearly 20 new and next-generation vaccines, protecting millions of children, adults, the elderly, and those with underlying conditions. Notably, in late 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, VNVC made a bold investment by securing 30 million doses of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine during its development phase, ensuring early access in Southeast Asia to safeguard frontline workers and the public.

VNVC is currently negotiating to deploy vaccines against serious diseases, including hand, foot, and mouth disease, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), meningococcal diseases, and next-generation influenza vaccines.

VNVC maintains nearly 250 cold storage facilities and GSP-compliant cold chains (2–8°C) meeting international standards. As the first in Vietnam to invest in ultra-low temperature freezers (-40°C to -86°C), VNVC can store millions of vaccine doses requiring ultra-cold conditions, such as Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

Beyond vaccination services, VNVC is building a state-of-the-art Vaccine and Biologics Manufacturing Plant in Long An with an investment of approximately VND 2,000 billion. Once operational, this facility will mark a major milestone in Vietnam’s sustainable vaccine development strategy, contributing to the country’s goal of becoming self-reliant in vaccine production.

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