Korea as a Global Vaccine Production Hub... Expectations for Supply Shortage Resolution and Technological Independence

Moderna, Fourth Vaccine Produced Domestically Following AZ, Novavax, and Sputnik V
SK Bioscience-Novavax and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency-Moderna to Collaborate on Vaccine R&D

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ji-hee] South Korea has emerged as a global hub for COVID-19 vaccine production. Following domestic bio companies producing vaccines for the UK’s AstraZeneca (AZ), the US’s Novavax, and Russia’s Sputnik V, South Korea will now produce Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine under the Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership.

Kang Do-tae, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at the Korea-US vaccine cooperation briefing on the 23rd, “This cooperation not only signifies a partnership combining the US’s advanced technology and South Korea’s manufacturing capabilities to jointly respond to the global health crisis, but also means that South Korea can play an important and central role in overcoming the global vaccine shortage.” He added, “It also marks a new milestone in South Korea’s development from K-Quarantine to a global vaccine hub.” According to the government, South Korea is the first country with which the US government has formed a vaccine partnership.

In particular, beyond contract manufacturing, research and development cooperation with multinational pharmaceutical companies will also proceed, reflecting recognition not only of vaccine production and manufacturing but also of development capabilities. The government’s strategy is to stabilize supply in the short term through large-scale domestic vaccine production, while aiming for technological independence in the long term by developing vaccine technology independently.

With the recent contract for contract manufacturing by Samsung Biologics, the Moderna vaccine became the fourth COVID-19 vaccine produced domestically. Currently, AstraZeneca and Novavax vaccines are produced at SK Bioscience’s Andong plant, and Sputnik V is produced by a consortium formed by Korea Korus and Huons. Notably, the Moderna vaccine is the first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine confirmed for domestic production, which adds further significance.

Accordingly, expectations have grown that vaccine supply will proceed smoothly from the third quarter onward. So far, the government has secured vaccines sufficient for 99 million people. Specifically, 33 million doses of Pfizer, 20 million of Moderna, 20 million of Novavax, 10 million of AstraZeneca, and 6 million of Janssen. Additionally, 10 million doses are expected to be introduced through the COVAX Facility. Among the five vaccine types contracted by the government, four?excluding Janssen?are already being produced or scheduled for production domestically.

Efforts toward technological independence in COVID-19 vaccines have also been strengthened. Among the four MOUs signed between the government and companies of both countries during the Korea-US summit, cooperation between SK Bioscience and Novavax on vaccine development and production is included. Through this cooperation, they plan to jointly develop next-generation vaccines to respond to COVID-19 variants and combined vaccines targeting both COVID-19 and influenza.

The National Institute of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency has also agreed to collaborate with Moderna on mRNA vaccine research. Currently, no domestic company has entered clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccines using the mRNA platform. Recently, it was reported that ten companies, including Hanmi Science, formed a consortium to secure related vaccine technology. This partnership is expected to contribute significantly to securing domestic mRNA platform technology.

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