VNU-HCM's Leading Research Groups Collaborate to Develop Strategic Products

2025-06-13 11:30:00

On 11th June 2025, at a seminar entitled “Establishing a Research Programme Framework for Strategic Products Derived from Natural Compounds”, three leading research groups from Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCM) in the fields of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Biology from the University of Health Sciences and the University of Science collaborated with enterprises to discuss cooperative development of strategic products based on natural compounds to serve national interests and benefit the community.

Prof. PhD. Pharm. Lê Minh Trí (left), Member of the Interdisciplinary Council for Biotechnology-Biomedicine-Health at VNU-HCM, and Assoc. Prof. PhD. Lâm Quang Vinh, Head of the Science and Technology Department at VNU-HCM, moderated the seminar.

Speaking at the seminar, Assoc. Prof. PhD. Vũ Hải Quân, Chancellor of VNU-HCM, noted that VNU-HCM has been developing strong research groups focusing on natural compounds over the past five years, and now enters “phase 2”, whereby the groups convene to share experiences, resources, and concentrate collective expertise to develop strategic products.

According to the VNU-HCM Chancellor, the strategic products that VNU-HCM aims to develop must satisfy five crucial requirements: providing practical service to national development; receiving systematic and long-term investment; accepting risk whilst maintaining breakthrough potential; maintaining close collaboration and partnership with domestic and international enterprises; and finally, integration with VNU-HCM’s educational activities, contributing to research orientation for postgraduate students and doctoral candidates.

Assoc. Prof. PhD. Vũ Hải Quân, Chancellor of VNU-HCM, delivering remarks at the seminar.

The three leading research groups at VNU-HCM are currently investigating natural compounds along several principal directions: exploratory research and new drug development; development of nature-derived products such as health supplements, cosmetics, and biological preparations; research applications of artificial intelligence technology in pharmaceutical development; establishment of experimental models for evaluating disease prevention and treatment potential; and creation of databases concerning medicinal plants used by ethnic minorities.

At the seminar, scientists and representatives from various enterprises, including US Pharma USA Joint Stock Company, Pharmedic Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Materials Joint Stock Company, Asta Healthcare USA Joint Stock Company, Polytechnic Natural Products Limited Liability Company, Dai Nam Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, and OPC Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, engaged in discussions regarding current advantages and challenges in producing medicines from natural compounds, whilst sharing collaborative requirements with the aspiration of bringing quality products to market to serve the community in future.

Following the seminar, the groups will continue their work to identify strategic products feasible for implementation during the 2025-2030 period.

PhD. Nguyễn Phước Vinh, Head of the Science Technology and International Cooperation Department at the University of Health Sciences, presented the research programme framework for strategic products derived from natural compounds.

Reported by KHÁNH LÂM – VNUHCM

_________________________________

University of Health Sciences – Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City

Address: YA1 Administrative building, Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, VNU, Dong Hoa Ward, Di An City, Binh Duong Province