SK bioscience and IVI had a conference to discuss a cooperation against the next pandemic

SK delivered 3 billion KRW (22 million USD) to IVI for vaccine R&D to improve global public health

Photo Caption : From left, Chang Won Chey, Vice Chairman of SK discovery, Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, Dr. B.G. Rhee, Chairman of the IVI Board of Trustees, and Dr. Jerome Kim, IVI Director General pose for the photo after the donation ceremony.

SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure across the globe, is launching an initiative to support the advancement of vaccine research and development.

SK bioscience announced on November 16 that it had a consultative meeting with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to seek sustainable cooperation to respond to the next pandemic. The meeting, which was held at the SK bioscience headquarters, was attended by IVI Director General Dr. Jerome Kim, Mr. George Bickerstaff, Chairman of the IVI Board of Trustees, Dr. B.G. Rhee, Chairman of the Korea Support Committee for IVI’s Board of Trustees, SK discovery Vice Chairman Chang Won(Andrew) Chey, and SK bioscience CEO Jaeyong Ahn.

The meeting was followed by a donation ceremony. SK bioscience announced on the day that it would provide 3 billion KRW(22 million USD) in donations to IVI to support vaccine R&D, equipment and device purchases. The donation will be delivered to IVI through KSC in the form of a charitable donation.

SK bioscience and IVI have been working together for nearly 10 years to achieve the common goal of promoting global public health. Last year, SK bioscience successfully developed a typhoid vaccine, ´SKYTyphoid™´ which applied IVI´s conjugated vaccine production technology. From the early stage of research and development, the vaccine was supported with research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and SK bioscience was in charge of R&D, manufacturing and licensing, and IVI coordinated global clinical trials.

SKYTyphoid™ demonstrated its acceptable immunogenicity and safety through global Phase III clinical trials conducted in Nepal. Based on this result, the vaccine finally obtained export license from the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety(KMFDS) in May, and its global supply will start once WHO prequalification is achieved in the future.

The Korea’s first COVID-19 vaccine, ‘SKYCovione™’ is also a result of cooperation with IVI. SKYCovione™, a recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, underwent global clinical trials and sample analysis conducted in cooperation with IVI, which have also demonstrated the acceptable immunogenicity and safety.

The results of SKYCovione™´s global Phase III clinical trials suggested its superior immunogenicity after vaccination of primary doses compared to the AstraZeneca´s COVID-19 control vaccine, and a strong immune response to the Omicron variant (BA.1). SKYCovione™ can be an alternative option for people in Korea who are reluctant to get vaccinated due to safety concerns about vaccines adopting new technology. Currently, SK bioscience is accelerating preparations including the WHO’s emergency use listing(EUL) to distribute the vaccine on the global.

Dr. Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI said “With the two vaccines brought to market, the SK bioscience-IVI partnership has been one of the best examples of global public-private partnerships for accelerating the development of vaccines for global public health. IVI is extremely grateful for SK bioscience’s leadership, generosity, and commitment to advancing IVI’s global vaccine R&D and we look forward to our continued robust partnership with SK bioscience.”

Chang Won Chey, Vice Chairman of SK discovery said, "The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that it is impossible for companies, institutions, or a government alone to cope with the next pandemic. Strengthening cooperation with IVI will be a cornerstone to protect the health and happiness of people through the advancement of vaccine R&D.”