A Vingroup representative (centre) shakes hands with research groups. (Photo courtesy of Vingroup)
Hanoi (VNA) –
Private conglomerate Vingroup has pledged nearly 19.5 billion VND (around
840,000 USD) to fund on the novel ().
The Vingroup Innovation
Foundation (VINIF) and Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI) on February 20
signed a sponsorship agreement with the Company for Vaccine and Biological
Production No.1 (Vabiotech), National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, and
Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health to develop a vaccine,
warning system and comprehensive research on the virus.
Vabiotech will get 8 billion VND
(almost 345,000 USD) for the project on developing COVID-19 vaccine in the
laboratory led by Doctor Do Tuan Dat.
The National Institute of
Hygiene and Epidemiology will receive a grant of nearly 7.5 billion VND (323,000
USD) for the project on the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus, led
by Associate Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan.
The project to develop a
national early warning system for the epidemic led by Prof. Dr. Le Thi Huong of
the Institute of Preventive Medicine and will get 4 billion VND (193,000
USD).
All funding will be used by
these organisations for research and producing test kits for disease diagnosis;
researching treatment regimens; research and manufacture of vaccines; research
on the epidemiological characteristics, viral characteristics and transmission
ability of the virus.
Vabiotech is expected to
produce 1,000 doses of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Speaking at the event, Associate
Prof. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong, Managing Director of the Vingroup Innovation
Foundation (VINIF), expressed her high hope over Vietnam’s scientific
contributions in controlling the epidemic.
“Aiming to promote scientific
and technological research in Viet Nam, we look forward to empowering
scientists in research on disease prevention and control which will be very
effective with the cooperation of the State. Despite being urgent, the selected
projects have been reviewed strictly by the National Council or the Science
Council of the Foundation,” she said
This agreement makes Vingroup
the first private enterprise to work with the State in controlling the virus
and protecting public health./.
Source: VietnamPlus
