THSTI to help Vietnam based Nanogen to develop COVID vaccine

New Delhi: After helping several Indian companies in the development of vaccines for COVID-19 including clinical trials, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT)’s Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company which is in the process of developing a vaccine for the disease.

The Ambassador of Vietnam to India, Mr. Pham Sanh Chau, who led the Vietnamese team that visited THSTI on September 23, to sign the MoU, thanked THSTI, DBT, and the Ministry of External Affairs for extending their support to evaluate a vaccine candidate, named NanoCovax developed by Nanogen. He expressed confidence that the MoU will pave way for more such opportunities between India and Vietnam and contribute to vaccine research in both countries.

THSTI Director, Dr. Pramod Garg, highlighted the importance of cooperation between India and Vietnam in Science & Technology besides other areas as envisioned and championed by Prime Minister, Mr Narendra Modi. He hoped that this collaboration will add another vaccine in the global collective fight against COVID-19.

Ambassador of India to Vietnam, Mr Pranay Verma, who joined from Hanoi, mentioned the wider areas of collaboration between two countries and noted the efforts of the Government of India in supporting and helping Vietnam during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic with supplies of Oxygen tankers and Oxygen concentrators. He emphasized the importance of international collaboration against global pandemic.

Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Dr Renu Swarup, 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.