SK Bioscience's Regional Vaccine Hub Signals Start in Thailand... MOU with State-Owned Pharmaceutical Company

Support for ASEAN Countries' Vaccine Localization
Expansion Efforts Including Contract for Influenza Vaccine Production Technology Transfer
"We Will Achieve Sustainable Results"

SK Bioscience's 'Glocalization' project has been successfully launched for the first time in Thailand. Glocalization is a business that rapidly transfers research and development (R&D) and production infrastructure to countries with insufficient vaccine infrastructure.

SK Bioscience has signed a memorandum of understanding with GPO, a state-owned pharmaceutical company under the Thai government, to establish infrastructure for local vaccine production and development in Thailand. From left: Opas Kankawinpong, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Thai Ministry of Health; Minkwan Supanpong, CEO of GPO; Jae-yong Ahn, President of SK Bioscience; Jo-young Jeon, Minister Counselor at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand.
[Photo by SK Bioscience]

On the 5th, SK Bioscience announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with GPO (Government Pharmaceutical Organization), a state-owned pharmaceutical company under the Thai government, to establish vaccine production and development infrastructure within Thailand.

GPO is a state-owned pharmaceutical company established to promote health in Thailand. Since its founding in 1966, it has produced and supplied medicines and vaccines within Thailand. Thai public hospitals are mandated to use at least 60% of GPO products, including medicines and medical devices.

The signing ceremony held at the Ministry of Public Health in Nonthaburi, Thailand, was attended by Opas Kankawinpong, Deputy Minister of Public Health of Thailand; Minkwan Supanpong, CEO of GPO; Jeon Jo-young, Minister at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand; Ahn Jae-yong, President of SK Bioscience; and Kim Hoon, Head of Global R&BD at SK Bioscience, among others.

The MOU signed that day outlines a mid- to long-term cooperation between SK Bioscience and GPO to promote vaccine self-sufficiency in Thailand and the ASEAN region and to build infrastructure to respond to new pandemics. To this end, the two organizations plan to sign a contract to transfer SK Bioscience's cell-cultured influenza vaccine production technology to Thailand.

Once the technology transfer contract is signed, SK Bioscience will transfer the finished product manufacturing technology of its cell-cultured influenza vaccine 'Skycellflu' to the Thai vaccine factory owned by GPO and carry out commercialization projects. Additionally, GPO will receive Skycellflu bulk from SK Bioscience, produce the finished product, complete development procedures such as obtaining approval within Thailand, and utilize it in the national vaccination program. The health authorities and related organizations attending the signing ceremony also pledged to actively support the cooperation between SK Bioscience and GPO for health security.

Thailand, considered one of the largest pharmaceutical markets among ASEAN countries, has seen a growing demand for medicines due to recent aging trends. With the Thai government recently strengthening efforts to expand the pharmaceutical industry, the market size is expected to grow even faster. According to market research firm Statista, the Thai pharmaceutical market is predicted to grow from 200 billion baht (approximately 7.474 trillion KRW) in 2021 to 279 billion baht (approximately 10.423 trillion KRW) in 2027.

Starting with Thailand, SK Bioscience plans to promote the transfer of production technology and expand supply of multiple self-developed vaccines in the ASEAN region. Through cooperation with GPO, which plays a key role in pharmaceutical supply within Thailand, the company aims to establish itself in the Thai market and subsequently expand to contribute to improving public health in neighboring regions.

Opas Kankawinpong, Deputy Minister of Public Health of Thailand, who attended the signing ceremony, said, "This MOU will be an important milestone in Thailand's history," adding, "The partnership between SK Bioscience and GPO will contribute to improving vaccine accessibility and strengthening vaccine security within Thailand." Minkwan Supanpong, CEO of GPO, also stated, "We expect the cooperation between the two organizations to greatly strengthen vaccine infrastructure in Thailand."

Ahn Jae-yong, President of SK Bioscience, said, "The synergy created by SK Bioscience's technology, GPO's local infrastructure, and institutional support from both countries' health authorities will be recognized as a successful example of global partnership," adding, "We will strive to create both economic value through entering new markets and social value by enhancing global public health."

Jeon Jo-young, Minister at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Thailand, also said, "I hope the cooperation between GPO and SK Bioscience, which aims to increase Thailand's vaccine self-sufficiency rate, will bear fruit," emphasizing, "The Korean government will spare no effort to provide necessary support so that this agreement can become a new opportunity for various vaccine research and development."

SK Bioscience is promoting the Glocalization project based on its own R&D capabilities and the global partnerships it has built. The company expects that through the Glocalization project, it will contribute to resolving vaccine supply imbalances in countries lacking technology and infrastructure and create value by pioneering new markets for its self-developed vaccines. Currently, active discussions are underway with local governments and companies in various countries including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, including Thailand.

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