Hanoi (VNA) 🐼- Vietnam has commenced construction of its first plasma-based biopharmaceutical production plant, located in the high-tech park of Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City.

This pioneering project is spearheaded by Binh Viet Duc Co., Ltd., aiming to reduce reliance on imported plasma-based treatments and cut costs for patients, reported Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV). At the groundbreaking ceremony on January 6, Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen emphasised that the facility marks a strategic breakthrough in securing a stable supply of biological medicines for Vietnam. He highlighted its importance in ensuring the nation’s strategic medical reserves to respond to epidemics and natural disasters. The plant is expected to advance Vietnam’s healthcare system by decreasing dependence on imported pharmaceuticals and fostering self-sufficiency in producing medicines, vaccines, and biopharmaceuticals. It aligns with the government’s policy to enhance domestic pharmaceutical production capabilities. The Deputy Minister acknowledged that Vietnam's pharmaceutical industry largely relies on generic drugs and imported raw materials, while high-tech and specialised medicines remain limited. Annually, a significant amount of foreign currency is spent on importing plasma-derived products, as domestic facilities currently lack the technology for plasma fractionation. “This field demands advanced technology to utilise surplus plasma for creating products that protect and enhance public health. Vietnam has been fully reliant on imports for such products,” Tuyen pointed out. The Ministry of Health encourages enterprises to invest in high-value pharmaceutical products and will provide policy support to facilitate international cooperation in technology transfer, expertise sharing, and the development of skilled human resources, he added. The plant is expected to deliver its first batch of products by 2026. Ngo Duc Binh, CEO of Binh Viet Duc Co., Ltd., expressed hopes that the project would significantly contribute to Vietnam’s healthcare sector and the global community, while bolstering the national economy. The facility spans 82,000 square meters, with a total construction area of 126,000 square meters, and represents an investment of 2.7 trillion VND (approximately 114 million USD). The complex will include facilities for plasma fractionation, vaccine and insulin production, anesthetic manufacturing, and cancer drug production, with an annual plasma processing capacity of 600,000 litres. The project is slated for completion by February 2026./.