Sanofi and VNVC Sign Joint Declaration to Enhance Next-Generation Vaccine Manufacturing in Vietnam

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi and Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC) have signed a Joint Declaration of strategic cooperation on next-generation vaccine manufacturing in Vietnam. The declaration focuses on key objectives including enhancing domestic vaccine manufacturing capacity, progressively increasing supply autonomy, and meeting disease prevention needs. This aims to contribute to health security and expand access to essential healthcare products. Furthermore, it seeks to foster human resource development and a sustainable vaccine ecosystem, thereby contributing to socio-economic development. Both parties are collaborating to identify potential vaccines for future manufacturing by VNVC, with three vaccines initially selected for further assessment. According to the Joint Declaration, the three vaccines identified as priorities for future production by VNVC in Vietnam are important vaccines with high unmet demand, supporting disease prevention across the life course, from infants and adolescents to adults and the elderly. VNVC's plan indicates that its Vaccine and Biologics Manufacturing Facility is expected to be completed and operational by the end of 2027. The first vaccine batches are targeted for production in 2028, with Vietnam-manufactured vaccines expected to be commercialized from 2029. With a population exceeding 100 million and expanding immunization needs across multiple age groups, Vietnam possesses a significant market foundation for developing large-scale and long-term vaccine production. The cooperation between Sanofi and VNVC has advanced through a series of important milestones, including one witnessed by French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Vietnam in 2025. The September 2026 Joint Declaration marks a further step forward, bringing the partnership into a new phase of development, with both parties establishing more specific priorities for key products and milestones. Stephen Alix, Head of Vaccines, International, Sanofi, stated, "With over 70 years of presence in Vietnam, Sanofi deeply values the direction set by the Communist Party and Government of Vietnam in advancing science and technology, fostering innovation, developing high-tech industries, and strengthening the resilience of the national healthcare system. Through this initiative, Sanofi seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the country's goals and to the development of an increasingly advanced biotechnology ecosystem in Vietnam." Mr. Ngo Chi Dung, Chairman of the Board of Directors and General Director of Vietnam Vaccine Joint Stock Company (VNVC), assessed that this Joint Declaration represents a significant transition from cooperation orientation to realizing the goal of localizing next-generation vaccines in Vietnam. The VNVC Vaccine and Biologics Manufacturing Facility in Tay Ninh covers over 26,000 m² and is designed with an annual capacity of approximately 120 million vaccine doses. It has an initial investment of over VND 2,500 billion. The facility aims to meet international standards such as WHO-GMP, EU-GMP, and FDA-cGMP, and to strengthen Vietnam's capabilities in vaccine and biologics research, manufacturing, and testing.