President Moon Visits SK Bioscience: "You Are the New Heroes Overcoming COVID-19" (Comprehensive)

Video Conference with Novavax CEO, Additional 20 Million Vaccine Doses... "Next Month, Our Company's Treatment Will Also Be Available"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jung-min] "I would like to express my deep gratitude on behalf of the people to the researchers, developers, and production workers who have spent the busiest time in the past year. Now, you will become the new heroes of overcoming COVID-19."

President Moon Jae-in did not hesitate to thank those involved in the production of the 'novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)' vaccine during his visit to SK Bioscience in Andong, Gyeongbuk on the 20th. Marking one year since the first COVID-19 patient was identified, President Moon visited the vaccine production facility to inspect the site.

In particular, President Moon emphasized, "I would like to extend special thanks to Chairman Chey Tae-won and SK Group." This remark is closely related to the fact that COVID-19 vaccines from global pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca and Novavax are being contract-manufactured domestically. The vaccines contract-manufactured by SK Bioscience are being utilized worldwide to overcome COVID-19.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

While foreign countries face difficulties not only in securing COVID-19 vaccines but also in storage and distribution, Korea is relatively advantageous as it can use vaccines produced domestically. Especially, on this day, President Moon held a video conference with Stanley Erck, CEO of Novavax, and agreed to secure an additional 20 million doses of the vaccine.

The Novavax vaccines to be contract-manufactured by SK Bioscience are planned to be supplied through technology transfer. President Moon said, "In addition to the 56 million doses secured so far, the possibility of securing an additional 20 million doses has opened," and added, "This will play a significant role in ensuring continuous and equitable vaccine distribution and accelerating our vaccine development."

President Moon stated, "SK Bioscience is also doing its best in developing its own vaccine. If all goes as planned, vaccinations with our own vaccine will be possible next year," and evaluated, "SK has built vaccine factories and nurtured personnel for 20 years. Such efforts have become the foundation for us to safely receive vaccines today and develop our own vaccines."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Moon emphasized the importance of the government leading vaccine inoculation fairly and without setbacks. He explained that sufficient vaccines of various types have been secured so that all necessary citizens can be vaccinated.

President Moon said, "We have a vaccination system rated as the best by the World Health Organization," and evaluated, "The integrated computerized system connected not only to public medical institutions but also to private hospitals, along with the accumulated experience and capabilities of medical staff, is world-class."

President Moon stated, "If we overcome the last hurdle of the third wave and vaccination progresses, we will quickly recover our daily lives and economy," and added, "It is expected that next month, therapeutics developed by our companies will also be available."

Meanwhile, President Moon observed the process in the ‘finished product preparation room,’ where vaccine bulk is distributed and manufactured into the final product ready for vaccination, following the sequence of labeling → packaging → serial numbering. He also inspected the quality control (QC) laboratory, checking quality inspection processes such as bulk component analysis using equipment like gas chromatography and content analyzers.

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