SK bioscience Secures Funding for RSV Preventive Antibody Development

SK bioscience is ramping up development of its RSV preventive antibody drug for the global market, leveraging innovative technology from the Gates Foundation and financial support from the Right Foundation.

On March 18, SK bioscience announced that it had signed a funding agreement with the Right Foundation, which was established through a public-private partnership to promote global health equity. Under this agreement, SK bioscience will receive financial support for the early-stage clinical costs of 'RSM01,' its monoclonal antibody candidate for the prevention of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

This agreement was made after SK bioscience was selected as a recipient of the Product Development Award (PDA) from the Right Foundation. Through this, the company has secured a total of 4 billion won in development funds—the largest amount available per project. SK bioscience plans to use this support to accelerate the Phase 1b clinical trial of RSM01.

Earlier, in early February, SK bioscience signed a technology transfer agreement with Gates MRI (Medical Research Institute), a research organization under the Gates Foundation, for RSM01. RSM01 was designed by the U.S. biotech company Adimab in collaboration with Gates MRI, which completed the initial research and Phase 1a clinical trial. With this technology transfer, SK bioscience will take the lead in all subsequent stages, from Phase 1b clinical trials through process development and commercialization.

This candidate drug is designed to provide sustained preventative effects throughout the RSV season for newborns and infants with just a single dose. Non-clinical trials have shown that it effectively inhibits RSV infection and replication. Additionally, a Phase 1a clinical trial in U.S. adults demonstrated its safety, tolerability, and the potential for sustained efficacy at the level targeted in its design.

Through the technology transfer agreement, SK bioscience has secured exclusive rights to supply RSM01 globally, including in developed countries (with non-exclusive rights in India and GAVI-supported countries). As a result, the company plans to maximize commercial value in developed markets while addressing unmet medical needs in developing countries by supplying the drug at reasonable prices through large-scale process development.

RSV is a major respiratory virus that causes severe lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children, resulting in significant hospitalizations and healthcare burdens worldwide each year. According to global market research firm Evaluate Pharma, the global RSV preventive antibody market is projected to reach 4.5 billion USD (approximately 6.6 trillion won) by 2032. With few products currently available, the market is expected to grow even further as vaccination expands, particularly in developed countries.

Jin Sun Park, COO of SK bioscience, stated, "This funding agreement recognizes both the potential of the technology acquired from Gates MRI and our company's efforts to protect global public health. We will leverage our world-class R&D and manufacturing capabilities to develop a globally competitive product."

Meanwhile, in addition to its RSV preventive antibody drug, SK bioscience is strengthening its long-term growth foundation by building a diverse infectious disease pipeline, including next-generation pneumococcal vaccines, universal coronavirus vaccines, avian influenza vaccines, mRNA and other next-generation vaccine platforms. The company aims to secure competitiveness in the global market through an integrated development strategy that organically connects research and development, process development, manufacturing, and supply.

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