Listen and subscribe to “Vietnam Innovators” in English: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube.
Listen and subscribe to “Vietnam Innovators” in Vietnamese: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube.
Sanofi stands as a global healthcare pioneer, driven by a singular purpose—to relentlessly pursue the miracles of science. Their commitment is to harness innovation and advance the frontiers of healthcare, all with the ultimate goal of enhancing and improving people’s lives worldwide. Sanofi believes in the significance of collaboration among businesses, governments, and individuals as a key pillar in propelling innovation and generating new solutions to address global health challenges.
In the latest Vietnam Innovators episode, Hao Tran chats with Karine Labaky, Head of Asia JPAC (Japan, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam) at Sanofi, exploring the company’s 70-year journey in Vietnam’s healthcare. The conversation unfolds, touching on Sanofi’s commitment to protecting the public with innovative vaccines, the significance of diversity and inclusion, and its role as a trusted partner with a long-term vision. Simple talk, big impact — join us in delving into Sanofi’s narrative and Karine’s insights amidst Vietnam’s dynamic scene.
For Karine, recognizing the significance of diversity in healthcare is crucial, and Sanofi has taken steps to implement initiatives fostering diversity and inclusion. She also highlighted Sanofi’s efforts to ensure that its employees come from diverse backgrounds and have different perspectives, which leads to more innovative and effective solutions for healthcare issues. To them, varied perspectives fuel innovation. The speaker expressed satisfaction with the current progress and looks forward to continuing this journey of diversity promotion.
Also Read: Sanofi’s Penn Policarpio On Self Care, Community Health & Gender Representation
Vietnam’s Health Roadmap
In the podcast episode, the Head of Vaccines in Asia JPAC at Sanofi also discussed the potential of the healthcare industry in Vietnam and the importance of vaccination. She outlines key focus areas, emphasizing the need for collaboration with various stakeholders to achieve goals. Addressing the healthcare industry’s potential in Vietnam, Karine pointed out the country’s large population and the increasing demand for healthcare services. It’s also worth noting Vietnam’s growing elderly population creates opportunities for healthcare providers.
Karine talked about Sanofi’s opportunities in the ASIA JPAC, highlighting the importance of understanding the local market. She mentioned that Sanofi has a production facility in Vietnam and that it not only manufactures drugs for the domestic market but also exports them. She expresses interest in expanding Sanofi’s presence and developing the Vietnam business.
Moreover, Karine underscored the importance of vaccination, addressing suitability for different age groups and demographics, along with specific health concerns in children and adults. Her goal is to understand the local market’s needs and potential, developing an approach that addresses concerns and opportunities in Vietnam’s healthcare industry.
In addition, Karine revealed that Sanofi is actively engaged in developing a groundbreaking vaccine for congenital meningitis caused by cholera toxin (CCT) in Vietnam. Administered intravenously (IV), this vaccine addresses a significant concern—given that 70% of premature infants worldwide are affected by severe RSV infections, with half of these cases requiring hospitalization. RSV poses a substantial threat, leading to severe lung infections that endanger both the child’s health and the broader community.
In their pursuit of an RSV vaccine, Sanofi has forged a crucial partnership with Janssen to craft a novel virus-like particle (VLP) based vaccine specifically tailored for treating RSV in infants. This promising vaccine, undergoing rigorous efficacy testing, will be administered intranasally. The anticipation within the company is palpable, as they envision the potential of this vaccine not only to shield infants from RSV but also to curb the spread of this infection within the community.
Watch the full episode here