Hanoi (VNA) –Private conglomerate Vingroup has pledged nearly 19.5 billion VND (around840,000 USD) to fund research projects on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
The Vingroup InnovationFoundation (VINIF) and Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI) on February 20signed a sponsorship agreement with the Company for Vaccine and BiologicalProduction No.1 (Vabiotech), National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, andInstitute 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 thelaboratory led by Doctor Do Tuan Dat.
The National Institute ofHygiene and Epidemiology will receive a grant of nearly 7.5 billion VND (323,000USD) for the project on the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus, ledby Associate Prof. Dr. Phan Trong Lan.
The project to develop anational early warning system for the epidemic led by Prof. Dr. Le Thi Huong ofthe Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health will get 4 billion VND (193,000USD).
All funding will be used bythese organisations for research and producing test kits for disease diagnosis;researching treatment regimens; research and manufacture of vaccines; researchon the epidemiological characteristics, viral characteristics and transmissionability of the virus.
Vabiotech is expected toproduce 1,000 doses of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Speaking at the event, AssociateProf. Dr. Phan Thi Ha Duong, Managing Director of the Vingroup InnovationFoundation (VINIF), expressed her high hope over Vietnam’s scientificcontributions in controlling the epidemic.
“Aiming to promote scientificand technological research in Viet Nam, we look forward to empoweringscientists in research on disease prevention and control which will be veryeffective with the cooperation of the State. Despite being urgent, the selectedprojects have been reviewed strictly by the National Council or the ScienceCouncil of the Foundation,” she said
This agreement makes Vingroupthe first private enterprise to work with the State in controlling the virusand protecting public health./.
VNA