AstraZeneca Vietnam on September 30 announces the winning teams of Project iDEA 2025, an initiative dedicated to nurturing young talent. — Photo courtesy of the company

HCM CITY — AstraZeneca Vietnam has announced the winners of Project iDEA 2025, a regional initiative designed to nurture young talents in healthcare innovation, with this year’s theme focusing on tackling the challenges of rare diseases.

After three months of competition, six teams reached the national finals, held in late August at the company’s headquarters in HCM City.

More than 300 students from leading universities across the country — both medical and non-medical disciplines — took part.

Participants were challenged to design comprehensive solutions to support patients with rare diseases, centering on three pillars: creating patient support networks, advancing scientific and systemic interventions, and running impactful advocacy and awareness campaigns.

The top three teams were HPLC, Senium, and Raredi, with Team HPLC, composed of students from HCM City University of Medicine and Pharmacy and Hà Nội Medical University, taking the national championship.

The winners will represent Việt Nam at the Asia Regional Finals later this month and receive internship opportunities with AstraZeneca Vietnam under the mentorship of senior leaders.

The HPLC team admitted the competition was a demanding yet rewarding experience.

“Connecting awareness-raising strategies with creative and impactful execution felt like a daunting puzzle — but in the end, we brought our brainchild, ‘Gifted Doll,’ to life,” they shared.

Atul Tandon, Country President of AstraZeneca Vietnam, said that through the iDEA Project, the students are the ones writing the next chapter of change — by transforming knowledge into innovative solutions to raise public awareness.

“iDEA is not only a competition but also a vivid testament to AstraZeneca’s commitment: empowering the young generation to tackle healthcare challenges, connecting science with people, and contributing to the sustainability of Việt Nam’s healthcare system.”

Over 90 per cent of participants came from medical universities, reflecting the growing interest of young Vietnamese in healthcare careers.

The success of iDEA 2025 further highlights AstraZeneca Vietnam’s pioneering role in fostering innovation and building a sustainable healthcare ecosystem.

Earlier this year, it was named among the Best Places to Work in Asia 2025 by HR Asia Awards. — VNS