"Vaccine Development for Next Pandemic Response: Importance of Partnerships and Networks"

Jinsun Park, Head of BD Team 1 at SK Bioscience
Presentation at 'GBC 2023'

In the context of a new infectious disease pandemic, advice was given that forming partnerships and networks with companies and institutions is crucial for vaccine development.

Jinsun Park, Head of BD (Overseas Business Development) Division 1 at SK Bioscience, is presenting at the 'Global Bio Conference (GBC) 2023' held on the morning of the 31st at the Grand Intercontinental Parnas Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Myunghwan Lee]

Jinsun Park, Head of BD (Overseas Business Development) Division 1 at SK Bioscience, said this during the vaccine forum at the 'Global Bio Conference (GBC) 2023' held on the morning of the 31st at the Grand Intercontinental Parnas Hotel in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. On the same day, Park gave a presentation titled 'SK Bioscience's Vaccine Development Strategy for Responding to New Infectious Diseases.'

Park stated that partnerships with other companies provided significant assistance during the vaccine development process. He explained, "Since the COVID-19 pandemic, cooperation with external institutions has greatly increased," adding, "Along with these efforts, we have also expanded based on vaccine production processes and production capabilities."

SK Bioscience responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with a 'two-track' strategy of contract manufacturing and in-house development. First, it undertook contract manufacturing (CMO) of COVID-19 vaccines developed by AstraZeneca (AZ) and Novavax. While continuing research for in-house developed vaccines, it launched 'Skycovione,' the first domestically developed vaccine, in the second half of last year.

According to Park, both strategies pursued by SK Bioscience proceeded smoothly thanks to partnerships and networking through international organizations. He explained that both AZ and Novavax had cooperated with SK’s bio affiliates even before the vaccine CMO contracts, which led to SK Bioscience taking charge of domestic contract manufacturing.

During the development of Skycovione, networking with external institutions also provided support. SK Bioscience received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for the development of Skycovione, and these two organizations also facilitated networking with overseas companies. In addition to funding support, these organizations arranged networking with global vaccine companies possessing the technological capabilities needed for vaccine development, Park explained. The developed Skycovione was listed on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL) in June.

SK Bioscience’s strategy is to further strengthen partnership strategies and actively respond to newly emerging vaccine platforms. Park said, "It is difficult to internalize all newly developed vaccine platform technologies," adding, "By forming partnerships, we can increase access to these technologies."

To enhance vaccine research and development (R&D) capabilities for global health, SK Bioscience plans to build a 'Global R&PD Center' in Songdo, Incheon, and relocate and expand its headquarters and research institute. It is also acquiring land near its vaccine production base, L House in Andong, Gyeongbuk, to expand and is pushing forward with the construction of a second plant.

Efforts to develop new platforms continue as well. In October last year, SK Bioscience signed an agreement with CEPI to develop a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine platform and will receive up to 200 billion KRW in development funding.

Meanwhile, the forum was held under the theme 'Global Regulatory Strategies for Responding to New Pandemic Infectious Diseases.' In addition to Head Park, presentations were given by Adam Hacker, Head of CEPI RA Division, Jin-ho Shin from WHO Health and Medical Affairs, and Marco Cavaleri, Head of Vaccine Strategy at the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

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