Vietnam and the US sign training agreement on hepatitis D testing

Tam Anh Research Institute and Stanford Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology signed an agreement to deploy the first training program for hepatitis D testing in Vietnam and clinical trials of new drugs to treat dengue fever and cancer.

The two sides signed the agreement in the early morning of November 16 (Vietnam time) at Stanford University (USA), witnessed by President Vo Van Thuong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation. This event took place before the President attended the APEC 2023 Summit, and at the same time realized important target programs set out in the meeting between General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Joe Biden in Vietnam in September.

Accordingly, Tam Anh Research Institute and Stanford Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology will conduct training in hepatitis D testing, clinical trials of dengue fever drugs and other new drugs. Next, Tam Anh General Hospital will deploy hepatitis D testing techniques domestically as soon as it completes training from Stanford.

President Vo Van Thuong (5th from right) takes a photo with representatives of the two Institutes after the cooperation signing ceremony. Photo: Thong Nhat

Speaking at the ceremony, President Vo Van Thuong highly appreciated the cooperation between the two institutes. The two sides are working together to research measures to prevent epidemics and create new drugs to fight cancer and screen for early detection of viruses.

"This cooperation has research and commercial significance and, most importantly, brings new achievements in human health care. The Vietnamese State will actively support and work with units to remove difficulties and obstacles so that cooperation can soon bring results," said the President.

President Vo Van Thuong (right) talks with a representative of Stanford University (left). Photo: Thong Nhat

Professor Ruth O'Hara, former chair of the faculty, vice president for research at Stanford University School of Medicine, and chief research officer at Stanford University School of Medicine, said we are in the midst of a revolution in biomedical technology. Bringing together world-class institutions to produce cutting-edge research is a way to work together to address today's pressing public health challenges.

Sharing this view, Mr. David Entwistle, President and CEO of Stanford Medicine, affirmed that the Stanford Medical System's cooperation with Tam Anh General Hospital and Tam Anh Research Institute is a proactive biosecurity model initiative to create new anti-viral therapies to help protect against future threats.

This signing ceremony is the result of a long period of preparation by both institutes. Professor Jeffrey Glenn, Director of the Stanford Institute of Microbiology and Epidemiology, said that he had considered, researched, and evaluated the necessary factors before choosing Tam Anh Research Institute as the place to conduct training and clinical trials in medical examination and treatment.

"We believe that Tam Anh is a hospital and research institute system with good human resources and modern equipment," said Mr. Jeffrey Glenn. Meanwhile, the Stanford Institute for Microbiology and Epidemiology was selected by the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) as one of nine centers for researching antiviral drugs for viruses with the potential to cause pandemics, with an estimated budget of up to 1.2 billion USD.

On the Vietnamese side, according to Professor Nguyen Van Tuan, Director of Tam Anh Research Institute, the unit has selected experts and good doctors to receive training at Stanford in clinical (examination and treatment) and laboratory (testing room). Tam Anh General Hospital system has the advantage of owning three large hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, a modern laboratory system, and a team of highly specialized staff to quickly deploy important testing techniques such as hepatitis D in large quantities.

"This cooperation not only brings scientific values ​​but also is an opportunity to improve the effectiveness of diagnosis and treatment for Vietnamese people," said Professor Tuan.

Vietnam has recorded more than 10 million people infected with chronic hepatitis B virus. The rate of progression to cirrhosis, liver cancer and death due to hepatitis is high. People infected with both hepatitis B and D virus have a much higher risk of cirrhosis and liver cancer.

Vietnam has not yet been able to test for hepatitis D. Therefore, according to Professor Tuan, receiving training in testing techniques from Stanford is important in the strategy for managing viral hepatitis in Vietnam, helping the diagnosis and treatment process to be more accurate and effective. A clear understanding of hepatitis D will also be beneficial for future international scientific research projects.

Immediately after the signing event, experts from the two institutes will conduct professional activities expected to last 6-12 months and complete important scientific certificates. After that, Tam Anh General Hospital system will deploy hepatitis D testing at three hospitals.

In addition, Tam Anh Research Institute is also preparing procedures to carry out clinical research on many new drugs from Stanford scientists, of which the most important are drugs to treat dengue fever and cancer.

Tam Anh Research Institute is a part of Tam Anh General Hospital system, aiming to conduct research related to diseases and vaccines; conduct clinical trials of new prevention and treatment methods.

Vnexpress.net