Sanofi Expands Vaccine Manufacturing Reach with Vietnamese Partnership

French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi is set to bolster its vaccine production capabilities in Southeast Asia through a new collaboration with the Vietnam Vaccine Company (VNVC). This strategic move aims to enhance vaccine accessibility in the region while potentially expanding Sanofi's global manufacturing footprint.

Technology Transfer and Local Production

Sanofi and VNVC have initiated a vaccine production technology transfer, with the ultimate goal of manufacturing select Sanofi vaccines within Vietnam. The partnership, celebrated at an event attended by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and French President Emmanuel Macron, underscores the significance of this collaboration at both corporate and diplomatic levels.

As part of the agreement, Sanofi will provide VNVC with crucial support in human resources training and quality management related to vaccine research and production. This knowledge transfer is expected to significantly boost Vietnam's domestic vaccine manufacturing capabilities.

VNVC's Expansion and New Facility

Concurrent with the Sanofi partnership, VNVC has announced plans to construct a new vaccine production facility in Vietnam's southern Long An province. The 26,000-square-meter plant, backed by an initial investment of approximately $77.2 million (2 trillion Vietnamese dong), is projected to have an annual production capacity of around 100 million vaccine doses.

This development aligns with VNVC's mission to enhance Vietnam's ability to respond swiftly to future health emergencies and reduce dependence on imported vaccines. Founded in 2017, VNVC currently operates vaccination centers throughout Vietnam, utilizing imported vaccines from major pharmaceutical companies.

Sanofi's Global Manufacturing Investments

The collaboration with VNVC represents the latest in a series of significant manufacturing investments by Sanofi. In the past year alone, the company has made substantial strides in expanding its vaccine production capabilities globally:

• Opened Canada's largest vaccine factory at its Toronto campus
• Completed construction of a modular vaccine and biologics plant in France
• Launched a similar modular facility in Singapore

These three facilities collectively represent nearly $2 billion in manufacturing investments, reinforcing Sanofi's commitment to expanding its already extensive vaccine portfolio, which includes protection against influenza, meningitis, tetanus, pertussis, and other conditions.

As discussions between Sanofi and VNVC continue, this partnership has the potential to not only increase vaccine accessibility in Vietnam but also strengthen the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and France in the realms of health, pharmaceuticals, and vaccine development.