SK Bioscience-IVI Selects Recipient of the 'Park Manhun Award'

Professor Pierre Van Damme and Others Recognized for "Polio Vaccine Development"
Joint Recipients of the Park Man-hoon Award Announced
Achievements in Global Vaccine Research and Immunization Efforts Highlighted

Professor Pierre Van Dam (left in the photo) from the University of Antwerp in Belgium and Dr. Ananda Sanka Bandiyopadhya from the Gates Foundation, who became joint recipients of the Park Man-hoon Award from SK Bioscience and IVI. Photo by SK Bioscience

SK Bioscience and IVI (International Vaccine Institute) have selected and announced the recipients of this year's 'Park Man-hoon Award,' known as the Nobel Prize of the vaccine industry, on the 25th.

This year's recipients are ▲ Professor Pierre Van Damme of the University of Antwerp, Belgium, and Dr. Ananda Sanka Vandiyopadiya of the Gates Foundation ▲ Luiza Helena Trajano, representative of the 'Grupo Mulheres do Brasil,' and Sveta Janumpally, representative of 'New Incentives,' who were each selected as joint awardees. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place next month on the 30th, coinciding with the recipients' visit to Korea.

Sponsored by SK Bioscience and hosted by IVI, the Park Man-hoon Award was established in 2021 to honor the achievements of the late Park Man-hoon, Vice Chairman of SK Bioscience and a pioneer in domestic cell culture vaccines. This year marks the 4th edition of the award. Recipients are selected through a review by a selection committee composed of 12 experts, who evaluate nominations of individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to global vaccine research, development, and distribution. Vice Chairman Park graduated from Seoul National University with a degree in Molecular Biology, earned a master's degree in Virology from the same university's graduate school, and obtained a Ph.D. in Molecular Virology from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He later served as Head of the Bio Division at SK Chemicals Life Science Research Institute, President (CTO) of SK Chemicals, and Vice Chairman of SK Bioscience.

Professor Pierre Van Damme and Dr. Ananda Sanka Vandiyopadiya of the Gates Foundation were recognized for their contributions to the development of the novel oral vaccine (nOPV2) against type 2 poliovirus, opening new horizons in child disease prevention worldwide.

Professor Pierre Van Damme, who is also the Director of the Vaccine Evaluation Center (CEV), a WHO Collaborating Center for Infectious Disease Control and Prevention at the University of Antwerp, led the development of nOPV2. He spearheaded the rapid development of nOPV2 through clinical trials conducted under strict isolation conditions, and nOPV2 became the first vaccine to receive WHO Emergency Use Listing (EUL). Building on this success, he established 'Vaccinopolis,' a cutting-edge vaccine research facility for early clinical trials and pandemic preparedness, driving innovation in vaccine research.

Dr. Ananda Sanka Vandiyopadiya, Deputy Head of Technology, Research, and Analytics in the Polio Department at the Gates Foundation, played a key role in the development and global rollout of nOPV2. He contributed to the eradication of type 2 poliovirus by advancing immunization policies and strategies and facilitating the administration of over 1.5 billion doses of nOPV2 in more than 40 countries.

Luiza Helena Trajano and Sveta Janumpally were recognized for their remarkable achievements in significantly increasing vaccination rates in underserved regions through the establishment and operation of nonprofit organizations.

Luiza Helena Trajano, representative of the Brazilian women's group and co-recipient of the Park Man-hoon Award with SK Bioscience and IVI (from left in the photo), and Sveta Janumpali, representative of New Incentive. Photo by SK Bioscience

Luiza Helena Trajano is the founder of the 'Grupo Mulheres do Brasil' (Brazilian Women's Group). During the COVID-19 pandemic, she dramatically increased vaccination rates in marginalized areas of Brazil through the 'Unidos pela Vacina' (United for the Vaccine) initiative. She also advanced healthcare professional training and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programs and has been named one of the 'World's Most Influential People' by Time and the Financial Times.

Sveta Janumpally is the co-founder and CEO of New Incentives, which introduced the 'Conditional Cash Transfers' strategy that provides financial incentives for vaccination in underserved communities in Nigeria, thereby increasing immunization participation. This strategy is recognized as an effective model for improving vaccine accessibility and health outcomes.

Jerome Kim, Secretary-General of IVI, stated, "This year, we have selected four joint recipients who have led innovation in vaccine research and significantly increased vaccination rates in underserved countries. Through the Park Man-hoon Award, we aim to honor their efforts in vaccine development and contributions to immunization."

Ahn Jae-yong, President of SK Bioscience, said, "We will do our utmost to carry on the spirit of the late Vice Chairman Park Man-hoon, who led innovative vaccine development and greatly contributed to the advancement of the health industry, ensuring the development and smooth supply of vaccines. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my respect once again to all past Park Man-hoon Award recipients and everyone working to protect global public health and prevent infectious diseases."

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