SK Bioscience Partners with GSK to Advance COVID-19 Vaccine Development

An SK Bioscience researcher is conducting R&D for vaccine development. (Provided by SK Bioscience)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] SK Bioscience is collaborating with GSK, one of the world's largest vaccine manufacturers, to develop a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine.

SK Bioscience announced on the 4th that it has started Phase 1/2 clinical trials combining GSK's adjuvant 'AS03' with the COVID-19 vaccine candidate 'GBP510,' which is being developed with support from BMGF (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations).

An adjuvant is an additive used in some vaccine formulations to induce an immune response by promoting the movement of vaccine antigens within the body and extending the antigen stimulation time, thereby enhancing the vaccine's effectiveness compared to administration alone.

SK Bioscience decided to collaborate with GSK after confirming in its own GBP510 animal tests that co-administration with AS03 induced higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and increased T cell activation, which triggers both humoral and cellular immune responses.

SK Bioscience's GBP510 is a COVID-19 vaccine candidate jointly developed with the Antigen Design Institute at the University of Washington, funded by BMGF since May last year. In December last year, it was also selected as the first candidate for the 'Wave2' project, initiated by CEPI with grants from BMGF to support differentiated COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

According to the Wave2 project, once development is complete, GBP510 will be supplied worldwide through the vaccine procurement alliance led by international organizations, the 'COVAX facility.'

Ahn Jae-yong, CEO of SK Bioscience, said, "Meaningful early results of the COVID-19 vaccine we are developing have led to collaboration with GSK," adding, "We will develop and supply a vaccine to the world that combines safety, efficacy, universality, and cost-effectiveness."

Thomas Breuer, Chief Medical Officer of GSK's vaccine division, stated, "It is encouraging that COVID-19 vaccines have recently been launched in some countries, but more options are needed to meet global demand," and added, "We believe GBP510, combined with our proven adjuvant technology, can be an important additional solution to the current situation."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Meanwhile, SK Bioscience is pursuing a two-track strategy by developing various vaccines using its own platform technology to secure COVID-19 vaccines while simultaneously contract manufacturing vaccines developed globally.

Currently, clinical trials are underway at Seoul National University Hospital and others for another COVID-19 vaccine candidate, 'NBP2001.' In terms of contract manufacturing, SK Bioscience is producing both the bulk and finished products of the COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford in the UK under contract manufacturing (CMO), and is engaged in contract development and manufacturing (CDMO) for the COVID-19 vaccine by Novavax in the United States.

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