Vietnam's VNVC Vaccine Company has signed a significant cooperation agreement with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to access Russia's promising mRNA-based cancer vaccine technology. The agreement was formalized during Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Russia from May 8-11, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic relations.
The partnership aims to establish deep cooperation in high-tech biomedicine, with a primary focus on bringing Russia's recently announced potential cancer treatment vaccine to Vietnam. This development represents a major advancement in Vietnam's efforts to access cutting-edge medical technologies.
Strategic Partnerships for Advanced Healthcare
Beyond the RDIF agreement, VNVC has simultaneously established partnerships with other key Russian healthcare institutions. The company signed a cooperation agreement with the Gamaleya National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology for scientific research and biotechnology development. Additionally, VNVC formalized a contract with Binnopharm, one of Russia's largest pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman and CEO of VNVC Vaccine Company, described the agreements as "an important milestone, opening up opportunities for Vietnam to access and test vaccines using the most advanced mRNA technology that Russia is promoting research and development."
"The two sides will discuss opportunities for Vietnam to have early access to Russia's potential mRNA cancer vaccine, not only for clinical trials and product commercialization but also for production at the VNVC Vaccine and Biological Products Factory in Long An," Mr. Dung added.
Focus on mRNA Cancer Vaccine Technology
The collaboration centers on Russia's potential lung cancer vaccine, which was announced by the National Medical Research Center for Radiology under the Russian Ministry of Health in December 2024. The vaccine utilizes advanced mRNA technology, the same platform that gained worldwide recognition during COVID-19 vaccine development but now applied to cancer treatment.
According to the agreement, VNVC will bring potential Russian mRNA technology vaccines to Vietnam from the early stages of clinical trials. This approach would give Vietnamese patients earlier access to modern treatment solutions with potentially high success rates.
Technology Transfer and Local Production
A key component of the partnership involves technology transfer for research, testing, and production of vaccines using mRNA technology in Vietnam. VNVC plans to implement a "complete, closed cycle" vaccine production model at their facilities, focusing initially on Binnopharm's pharmaceutical strengths and expanding to other Russian pharmaceutical products specializing in high-tech cancer diagnosis and treatment.
The agreement facilitates clinical trials of biological drugs and advanced technology vaccines in Vietnam, which could streamline registration, licensing, and commercialization processes once positive results are achieved.
Broader Implications for Vietnam's Healthcare Sector
Kirill Dmitriev, Special Representative of the Russian President for Foreign Economic Affairs and Investment and General Director of RDIF, emphasized that the cooperation "will play an important role in enhancing scientific exchanges and technology transfer between the two countries to develop pioneering healthcare products."
The partnership aligns with Vietnam's national development strategy outlined in Resolution 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, which calls for breakthroughs in science, technology development, innovation, and national digital transformation.
This is not VNVC's first international collaboration. The company and its member unit, Tam Anh General Hospital System, have previously established research partnerships with international organizations focusing on vaccines and new drugs for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and infectious diseases.
Potential Impact on Cancer Treatment
Access to mRNA cancer vaccine technology represents a significant advancement in Vietnam's cancer treatment capabilities. If successful, this collaboration could provide Vietnamese patients with innovative therapeutic options for lung cancer, a disease with high prevalence and mortality rates in the region.
The early-stage access to clinical trials would be particularly valuable, potentially accelerating the availability of these treatments compared to traditional approval pathways. Additionally, the technology transfer component could enhance Vietnam's domestic pharmaceutical production capabilities, reducing dependency on imported medications for cancer treatment.
