Minister of Science and ICT: "Domestic COVID-19 Vaccine to Be Released in September Next Year"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seulgina Jo] Choi Ki-young, Minister of Science and ICT, stated on the 28th that a domestically produced COVID-19 vaccine being developed by SK Bioscience and others could be available around September next year.

At the plenary meeting of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, Broadcasting and Communications Committee that afternoon, Minister Choi responded to questions from lawmakers Kim Sang-hee, Jeon Hye-sook, and Jeong Hee-yong regarding COVID-19 vaccine development, explaining, "The fastest vaccine is expected to be developed by August next year, and approval application to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety could be possible in September."

Minister Choi said, "SK Bioscience currently appears to be the fastest," adding, "Although vaccine development is uncertain, if the plan proceeds as scheduled, a domestically produced vaccine could be available by September next year." SK Bioscience, a bio company affiliated with SK Group, was mentioned in a letter sent by Bill Gates, chairman of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to President Moon Jae-in.

However, regarding the content in Bill Gates' letter stating that mass production could be possible from June next year, Minister Choi said, "According to the information we have, there is no data indicating mass production is possible by June next year. Perhaps Bill Gates has other information."

On the same day, news from foreign media reported that the U.S. biotech company Moderna has entered Phase 3 clinical trials, raising expectations that vaccine supply could be possible within this year.

When asked about the direction of the domestic vaccine if vaccines developed by U.S. pharmaceutical companies and others begin to be practically used for treatment and prevention, Minister Choi replied, "It is difficult to know which vaccine has good efficacy and safety, so we need to review several options simultaneously," adding, "We cannot rely 100% on foreign development; we intend to pursue our own vaccine development to the end."

Furthermore, after stating that this was his personal opinion, he added that the vaccine development by the British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca and Oxford University might progress faster than Moderna, which has entered Phase 3 clinical trials. Phase 3 clinical trials are the final verification stage before market release, excluding Phase 4 trials conducted after drug marketing.

Additionally, Minister Choi explained regarding domestic therapeutic development, "Various treatments are being developed," adding, "Results from drug repurposing clinical trials will come out first. Plasma therapy is expected within this year." Regarding new drug development, he responded, "It will take a long time."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.