After helping Indian companies for the clinical trials/development of vaccines for COVID-19 including Dr. Reddy’s (Sputnik), Zydus Cadilla (DNA vaccine), and Biological E, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Department of Biotechnology, M/o Science & Technology, Government of India has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company which is developing a new vaccine for COVID-19. His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI on 23^rd September 2021, to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. THSTI has been at the fore front of research for COVID-19 vaccines.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Dr. Pramod Garg, Director, THSTI highlighted the important bilateral cooperation between India and Vietnam in Science & Technology besides other areas as envisioned and championed by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. Prof. Garg thanked His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, Ambassador of Vietnam, Department of Biotechnology, and the Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India for their help and support which facilitated the MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharma. He hoped that this collaboration will add another vaccine in our collective fight against the pandemic.

His Excellency, Mr Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, mentioned about the wider areas of collaboration and appreciated the efforts of the Govt of India in supporting and helping Vietnam during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic including supply of Oxygen tankers and Oxygen concentrators. He mentioned that this collaboration is a vivid manifestation of the strong ties between two countries. Mr. Pranay Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam joining from Hanoi also lauded the strong bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration against an international disease.

His Excellency Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, expressed his gratitude to THSTI, DBT and MEA for extending the support to evaluate the vaccine candidate, NanoCovax developed by Nanogen. He said that these collaborations will have far reaching positive impact on India-Vietnam’s friendly ties. He said that this MoU will pave way for more such opportunities between India and Vietnam and contribute to vaccine research in both the countries.

Dr. Renu Swarup, Secretary, Dept. of Biotechnology congratulated THSTI for leveraging its expertise and facilities not only for India but also globally. She applauded the scientists and appreciated their efforts in developing vaccines and therapeutics.

The session concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms. Vidhya Krishnamoorthy, THSTI.

 

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SNC / RR

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