A Vingroup representative (centre) shakes hands with research groups. — Photo courtesy of Vingroup

HÀ NỘI — Nearly VNĐ20 billion (US$861,000) has been pledged by Vingroup to fund research projects on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VINIF) and Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI) on Thursday signed a sponsorship agreement with The Company for Vaccine and Biological Production No.1 (Vabiotech), Pasteur Institute in HCM City and Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health to develop a vaccine, warning system and comprehensive research on the virus.

Vabiotech will get VNĐ8 billion ($345,000) for a project led by Doctor Đỗ Tuấn Đạt.

The Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City will receive a grant of nearly VNĐ7.5 billion ($323,000) for the project on the epidemiological characteristics of coronavirus, led by Associate Professor Phan Trọng Lân.

The project to develop a national early warning system for the epidemic led by Associate Professor Lê Thị Hương of the Institute of Preventive Medicine and Public Health will get VNĐ4 billion ($193,000).

All funding will be used by these organisations for research and producing test kits for disease diagnosis; researching treatment regimens; research and manufacture of vaccines; research on the epidemiological characteristics, viral characteristics and transmission ability of the virus.

Vabiotech is expected to produce 1,000 doses of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.

Speaking at the event, Phan Thi Hà Dương, managing director of Vingroup Innovation Foundation (VINIF), Vingroup Big Data Institute (VINBDI), expressed high hopes over Việt Nam’s scientific contributions in controlling the epidemic.

“Aiming to promote scientific and technological research in Viet Nam, we look forward to empowering scientists in research on disease prevention and control which will be very effective with the cooperation of the State. Despite being urgent, the selected projects have been reviewed strictly by the National Council or the Science Council of the Foundation,” she said

This agreement makes Vingroup the first private enterprise to work with the State in controlling the virus and protecting public health. — VNS