SK bioscience will establish an industry-university partnership to preemptively respond to new viral infections that threaten humanity.

SK bioscience announced on the 1st that the company held an industry-university cooperation signing ceremony at the Inchon Memorial Hall of Korea University located in Anam-dong, Seoul. This cooperation ensures the creation of a global infectious disease monitoring and response system spearheaded by SK bioscience and the Korea University Medical Center.

This industry-university cooperation will mobilize the excellent research capabilities that SK bioscience and Korea University Medical Center have to establish an industrial ecosystem to respond to future infectious diseases. During the next 3 years, the two organizations agreed to jointly carry out the following: △ establish a domestic and foreign infectious disease monitoring system, △ conduct vaccine development research, and △ nurture industry experts.

With Korea University Medical Center shouldering the responsibility for proposing, planning, and determining the results for the infectious disease prevention and vaccine-related research projects, SK bioscience’s business support will ensure smooth progress. SK bioscience is making a 5 billion won commitment to fund research and related activities to reach the project’s objectives.

The industry-university cooperation signing ceremony was attended by Kim Jae-ho, Chairman of the Korea University Foundation, Kim Young-hoon, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the Korea University Medical Center, Choi Chang-won, Vice Chairman of SK discovery, and Ahn Jae-yong, President of SK bioscience. The four attendees discussed the need for preemptive research in response to infectious diseases and pledged to continue cooperation in this vital endeavor in the future.

Kim Young-hoon, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs at the Korea University Medical Center said, “We are pleased to establish a common front with SK bioscience at a time when systematic preparations and responses to crises caused by repeated emergences of new infectious diseases are urgently needed,” and “We will spare no effort in contributing to humanity by preparing a virus monitoring system and vaccine platform through practical research.”

Ahn Jae-yong, CEO of SK bioscience, said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we realized that preemptive and active responses to infectious diseases are vital,” and “Through this industry-university cooperation, a system will be established with the Korea University Medical Center to effectively deal with future global health crises.”

Meanwhile, SK bioscience is committed to developing a potent vaccine industry infrastructure based on active industry/academia cooperation.

In February, the company hosted an industry-academia collaboration agreement signing ceremony and a scholarship certificate awarding ceremony with Andong University. The two organizations aim to foster talented personnel with the skills and attitude to be employed in the vaccine industry in Andong, where SK bioscience’s L HOUSE vaccine plant is located. In 2019, the company signed an agreement with Gyeongsangbuk-do, Andong City, Andong University, and the International Vaccine Institute to revitalize Korea’s vaccine industry.

In September, SK bioscience also signed an agreement to provide 500 million won in scholarships over five years to Seoul National University´s School of Biological Sciences and Boseong High School in Seoul, the alma maters of Park Man-hoon, the late SK bioscience Vice-Chairman in continuation of the deceased’s goal to establish vaccine sovereignty.