Vietnam's Tam Anh General Hospital Group and Japan's Grandsoul Medical Group have completed the transfer of natural killer (NK) immune cell and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) technologies, marking a new step in medical cooperation between the two countries.

Developed by the Grandsoul Research Institute for Immunology in Nara, Japan, two technologies being transferred to Tam Anh hospital are autologous NK therapy, and autologous MSC therapy.

The first one includes the protocols of cell activation, expansion, evaluation and preparation for cancer treatment, while the second includes adipose tissue processing, cell isolation, expansion and evaluation.

The completion of the technology transfer was announced on Nov. 9 during a visit to Japan by a high-level Vietnamese delegation from Nov. 8 to 11. The ceremony was witnessed by Party General Secretary and President To Lam and senior officials from both countries.

Tam Anh is one of the first institutions in Vietnam selected, on an exclusive basis, for the comprehensive transfer of these core technologies from leading Japanese group Grandsoul. The transfer opens up new opportunities for treatment of cancer and chronic diseases and improving the health of people in Vietnam.

Mastering cell therapy (stem cells and immune cells) to treat cancer, chronic diseases and intractable diseases is a national strategy approved by the Government for implementation from 2026 to 2030. This comprehensive, in-depth transfer is good news, as it makes this the first strategic technology realized ahead of schedule in Vietnam.

Ngo Thi Ngoc Hoa (front row, 3rd from left), general director of Tam Anh General Hospital Group, and Tsujimura Takahiro, director of the Grandsoul Nara Institute of Immunology Research, exchange documents marking the completion of the exclusive technology transfer. Photo by VNA

According to Tam Anh, the technologies are intended for use across its five facilities in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, which together handle more than 10,000 patient visits daily.

NK cells are lymphocytes that belong to the innate immune system and act as rapid first-line defense against abnormal cells, including cancer cells.

Under the transferred technology, immune cells are collected from a patient's blood, isolated and cultured under specialized conditions to increase their numbers and activate their functions before being infused back into the patient.

NK cell-based therapies are being investigated for several cancers, including breast, lung, stomach, bladder, kidney and colorectal cancers. Their effectiveness and appropriate use, however, depend on the cancer type, treatment and available clinical evidence.

Ta Thanh Van, chairman of the Professional Council of Tam Anh General Hospital for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy in Hanoi, said NK cell therapy could provide an additional option alongside surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapy.

The second technology involves MSCs derived from a patient's own adipose tissue. The cells are isolated, processed and cultured before being prepared for use in the same patient.

MSCs have been well-studied for their ability to regulate immune responses and support tissue repair. They have demonstrated therapeutic potential for cardiovascular and neurological conditions, including stroke and dementia, as well as diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and dermatological treatments. Many of these applications remain under clinical investigation, and their effectiveness and regulatory status vary by condition.

Before the transfer, Japanese specialists visited Tam Anh to assess its facilities, laboratories and cell-processing procedures. The hospital said the assessment found that its infrastructure and processes met the technical requirements.

Specialists from the Grandsoul Nara Institute of Immunology Research inspect laboratory facilities and cell culture processes at Tam Anh General Hospital in October 2026. Photo courtesy of the hospital

Matsuo Yoshinobu, a senior technology specialist at the Grandsoul Nara Institute of Immunology Research, said Tam Anh had established the infrastructure, workforce and quality-control procedures needed to receive the technologies.

"We are ready to work together to develop regenerative medicine in Vietnam safely, with treatment effectiveness and patient safety as our top priorities," he said.

Van said the hospital had invested in specialized equipment, skilled personnel and international research partnerships to prepare for the transfer.

Tam Anh established a tissue and umbilical cord blood bank, licensed by Vietnam's Ministry of Health in 2019 before developing its Center for Regenerative Medicine and Cell Therapy.

Ta Thanh Van (2nd, L) and Nguyen Thanh Binh (R) with Japanese scientist Tasuku Honjo (C), who shared the 2018 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries relating to cancer immunotherapy. Photo courtesy of the individuals

The hospital has also invested in advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment, including CT and 3-Tesla MRI scanners, PET/CT imaging and molecular diagnostics. It operates two Da Vinci Xi robotic surgical systems and reports having performed more than 600 robotic procedures.

Its cancer services include chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy and multidisciplinary treatment. A Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system from the U.S., valued at nearly VND2 trillion (US$78.2 million), is being installed ahead of planned operation.

According to Tam Anh, the technology transfer will help it develop domestic capabilities in cell isolation, cell culture and preparation under standards established by its Japanese partner.

Ngo Chi Dung, chairman of Tam Anh General Hospital Group, said the technology transfer reflected opportunities created by Vietnamese policies encouraging private investment in advanced medical technologies. He said it could also pave the way for longer-term cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in medical research, investment and technology development.

Vietnam records approximately 180,000 new cancer cases and more than 120,000 cancer-related deaths annually, according to figures cited in the announcement. The country also faces a substantial burden from chronic diseases, including heart failure, stroke and diabetes.

Tam Anh expects the technology transfer to expand access to cell-based medical services in Vietnam and potentially reduce the need for patients to seek certain treatments overseas.

The hospital has not announced specific treatment costs or a timeline for the wider clinical rollout of the transferred technologies.

According to Ngo Chi Dung, the cell technologies are intended to be applied at five facilities of the Tam Anh General Hospital Group in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, expected to handle more than 10,000 patient visits a day, helping reduce the costs of seeking treatment abroad while contributing to the development of medical tourism.