Presently, AZ is actively engaged in several multimillion-dollar investment initiatives with a primary focus on advancing clinical research, technology transfer, and community-oriented projects within Vietnam.

Overview

AstraZeneca (AZ) holds a prominent position in Vietnam’s investment, and it is essential to acknowledge its significant contributions. This includes its collaborative efforts with Professor Sarah Gilbert’s research team in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, which has paved the way for potential life-saving opportunities on a global scale, particularly for individuals residing in developing countries. Presently, AZ is actively engaged in several multimillion-dollar investment initiatives with a primary focus on advancing clinical research, technology transfer, and community-oriented projects within Vietnam.

Research and production activities

Currently, AstraZeneca (AZ) is focusing on five distinct disease categories, namely Cancer, Infection/Immunology, Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Neurological disorders. Notably, within these categories, AZ is engaged in the development of active ingredients spanning four key classes: small molecules, biologics, nucleic acids, and peptides. To facilitate global medication provision, the organization possesses a network of 28 manufacturing facilities distributed across 16 countries.

Out of AZ’s 416 pharmaceutical products, 208 are presently available on the market, while the remaining 208 are undergoing research and development phases.

Additionally, AZ maintains command over 17 cutting-edge technologies for drug delivery systems, with three primary administration routes: injections, inhalation, and oral ingestion. Furthermore, the company owns 21 innovative technologies for drug discovery systems, facilitating the exploration and screening of pharmaceutical substances for therapeutic applications. Notably, AZ has made significant investments and placed considerable emphasis on cancer-related technologies, with ten such innovations receiving attention.

Within the Vietnamese context, AZ has conducted a total of 60 clinical studies in collaboration with more than 50 partner hospitals, including institutions such as K Hospital, Cho Ray Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital, and Tam Anh Hospital…

Development plan in Vietnam

From now until 2030, AZ will invest 2,000 billion VND to transfer advanced drug production technology with three important drugs that will be produced and processed domestically by AZ, making Vietnam the first Southeast Asian country. The company first produces drugs to treat non-communicable diseases.

On March 8, 2023, AZ signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Health to develop the health system in a sustainable way.

On May 5, 2023, AZ announced a new investment of up to 50 million USD (1,200 billion VND) in Vietnam, within the framework of a global program called AZ Forest to restore Vietnam’s forests and landscapes. Concerned about climate change issues that increase disease, AZ is dedicated to supporting Vietnam in building a sustainable future health system through donating solar power systems to primary medical facilities. district, providing stable power supply with green energy.

Remarkable achievement

On January 2, 2021, AstraZeneca‘s COVID-19 vaccine, known as either Covishield or Vaxzevria, achieved the distinction of being the inaugural COVID-19 vaccine to receive approval and deployment in Vietnam. It is estimated that this vaccine played a pivotal role in preventing approximately 6.3 million deaths attributable to COVID-19. AstraZeneca’s most noteworthy recent achievement revolves around its collaboration with Professor Sarah Gilbert‘s research team at Oxford University in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine.

This historical narrative was characterized by AstraZeneca‘s dual commitment to offering vaccines at cost-effective prices and extending assistance to developing nations, thereby contributing to the salvation of countless lives on a global scale. Professor Gilbert articulated this approach succinctly in the early stages of research during an interview with the BBC, stating, “This vaccine will actively engage in the battle against the virus, rather than competing with other vaccines. We operate within an academic context and harbor no financial profit motives”.

With its contributions to improving patient health, AZ is recognized and honored by many organizations in Vietnam such as:

Certificate of Merit from the Ministry of Health for Outstanding contributions to the prevention and control of the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam (2020) and Great contributions to cancer treatment in Vietnam (2019)
Medal and Certificate of Merit from the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union for Meaningful contributions to the young generation of Vietnam (2021)

AZ has created a great working environment when for 4 consecutive years (2018-2021) it was honored in the list of 100 Best Places to Work in Vietnam.

“Blockbuster” drugs in Vietnam such as Nexium MUPs (Esomeprazole), Plendil Plus XR (Felodipine/Metoprolol), Forxiga (Dapagliflozin), Xigdou XR, Komboglyze XR, Symbicort Turbuhaler…