Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), M/o Science & Technology, Government of India has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company, that is developing a new vaccine for COVID-19. Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. THSTI has been at the forefront 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. Dr Garg thanked 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 to our collective fight against the pandemic.

Pranay Verma, Ambassador of India to Vietnam, mentioned the wider areas of collaboration and appreciated the efforts of the Government 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 the two countries.

Verma, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam joining from Hanoi also lauded the strong bilateral relations between India and Vietnam. He emphasised the importance of international collaboration against an international disease.
His Excellency 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 a 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 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 Vidhya Krishnamoorthy, THSTI.