Vinmec Research Institute of Stem cell and Gene Technology (VRISG)

Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cells and Gene Technology (VRISG) is Vinmec Healthcare System’s first intensive research institute. It stands as a strategic research unit in the field of biomedicine, pioneering applied research on stem cell transplantation for various incurable diseases, and promotes proactive healthcare for greater quality of life for all. By 2030, VRISG aims to become Vietnam’s leading research institute in the research, development, and application of stem cells in medical treatment.

Work conducted in various fields under VRISG’s purview, including immune cells and stem cells.

Immune cells

Using immune-trained DC cells in liver cancer treatment
Application of CAR-T cells for cancer treatment

Stem cells

Building a bank and producing therapeutic drugs from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells; evaluating the results of application in treatments for psychomotor sequelae after traumatic brain injury, obstructive lung disease, infertility, brain paralysis, cirrhosis, osteoarthritis, etc.
Building a bank and producing Cytokine medications from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell secretions and evaluating the results of applications in treatments of arthritis/osteoarthritis, rejuvenation, etc.
Research on the application of stem cells in the treatment of neurological disorders, such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, autism, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune encephalitis, etc.
Research on treatments using stem cell transplantation for cirrhosis, degenerative joint disease, congenital biliary atrophy, cerebral palsy, autism, diabetes, hormone deficiency, etc.
Application of stem cells in the treatment of many complex diseases for which there is no specific drug
Mastering new technologies in mesenchymal stem cell culture and secretion
Generating pluripotent stem cells from milk teeth, umbilical cords, and peripheral blood
Successfully generating cardiac muscle cells and neurons from pluripotent stem cells
Stem cell transplantation for the treatment of incurable diseases, cancer, and multiple sclerosis (MS)
Completing several phase II stem cell transplant trials to apply for approval: Autism, traumatic brain injury, stroke, etc.
Conducting stem cell research for rejuvenation: Stem cell transplantation for males and females to address hormone decline and health degradation due to ageing

Research projects

Conducted research and development of cell culture technologies with high output, using multistage culture techniques and automated cell culture with a maximum capacity of up to 4 billion cells at a time
Produced umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (Vicell-1) in an optimal manner for use whenever needed, allowing greater access for patients
Conducted urgent study of stem cell production in low-oxygen conditions for regenerative purposes and genetically modified T-cells for cancer treatment, aiming towards clinical trials as soon as possible

Clinical trials

By May of 2022, the Institute had completed 05 clinical trials and is currently conducting 10 ongoing clinical trials, with promising preliminary results as follows:
More than 500 autistic children’s lives have been improved as a result of transplantation
Success of research on stem cell transplantation in the treatment of cerebral palsy, with over 90% of transplant patients having recorded improved motor function
The Institute has announced the world’s first successful treatment of two cases of preterm twins born with pulmonary fibrosis using allogeneic umbilical cord stem cell transplantation

Publications

As of October of 2022, the Institute had recorded 42 scientific works published in international scientific publications, the majority of which were published in journals with IF>5, and with papers in journals with IF indexes ranging from 1 to 38. Among those, the Institute has published the largest research work on the Vietnamese genome, establishing a reference base for many biomedical studies and contributing to solving the Vietnamese people’s unique health issues

International cooperation

The Institute has received many international cooperation proposals from leading universities, research institutes, and companies around the world, including: Keele University (UK), Karolinska Research Institute (Sweden), Miltenyi Biotech (Germany), San Raffaele Hospital (Italy), Taipei Veterans General Hospital (Taiwan – China), LumiSTAR Biotechnology (Taiwan – China), Rohto Pharmaceutical Company (Japan), and Stanford University (USA)