Pharmaceutical Bio Association Collaborates on mRNA Vaccine Development for Emerging Infectious Diseases

Won Hee-mok, President of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (left), and Hong Ki-jong, Director of the Emerging Infectious Disease mRNA Vaccine Project Group, are signing a business agreement and posing for a commemorative photo. (Photo by Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association)

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association announced on the 13th that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Gachon University’s Emerging Infectious Disease Messenger Ribonucleic Acid (mRNA) Vaccine Project Group.

This MOU focuses on mutual cooperation to promote research and development (R&D) of mRNA vaccines and to improve infrastructure. mRNA vaccines are a type of vaccine that instructs cells to produce proteins or the method of producing them that induce immune responses, thereby prompting antibody formation when exposed to specific viruses. Previously, Moderna and Pfizer gained attention by developing COVID-19 vaccines using the mRNA method.

Through this agreement, the two organizations will undertake ▲ mutual cooperation for research and development of mRNA vaccine technology and platform establishment ▲ planning, attracting, and operating programs for training mRNA vaccine specialists through industry-academia-research-government collaboration ▲ business cooperation to strengthen support by discovering excellent promising mRNA companies and technologies.

Won Hee-mok, chairman of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association, said, “To effectively respond to infectious disease threats that may recur in the future, it is necessary to strengthen research and development capabilities for innovative technologies,” adding, “I hope this MOU will serve as an opportunity to accelerate the development of mRNA vaccine technology and platforms through collaboration.” Hong Ki-jong, head of the mRNA Vaccine Project Group, also stated, “Starting with this MOU, we plan to promote various cooperative projects,” and “Along with revitalizing mRNA vaccine development, it will be possible to strengthen the global competitiveness of domestic companies.”

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