SK Bioscience-IVI Select Recipients of the '2026 Park MahnHoon Award'

Professor Orenstein, Renowned U.S. Immunization Policy Expert

DCVMN, Vaccine Manufacturers Network, Also Selected

On March 19, SK Bioscience and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) announced that they have selected Walter A. Orenstein, a renowned authority on vaccine policy from the United States, and the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) as the recipients of the '2026 Park MahnHoon Award.'

Walter A Orenstein, SK Bioscience

The Park MahnHoon Award, sponsored by SK Bioscience and organized by IVI, was established in 2021 to honor the achievements of the late Park MahnHoon, former Vice Chairman of SK Bioscience and a pioneer of cell-culture vaccines in Korea. Now in its fifth year, the award is determined by a selection committee of 12 experts who recognize individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to global vaccine research, development, and distribution.

This year’s individual recipient, Professor Walter A. Orenstein, is a public health expert who has greatly influenced the advancement of modern immunization policy and immunization programs. From 1988 to 2004, he served as Director of the National Immunization Program at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), significantly increasing childhood immunization rates in the United States. During this period, endemic measles transmission was virtually eliminated, and the incidence of several vaccine-preventable diseases decreased by more than 90–99% compared to pre-vaccine introduction levels. Subsequently, as Deputy Director of Immunization Programs at the Gates Foundation, he contributed to the eradication of polio, measles control, and the strengthening of routine immunization systems in developing countries. He also served as a vaccine strategy advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

DCVMN CEO Rajinder Suri. SK Bioscience

The organizational recipient, DCVMN, is a network of vaccine manufacturing companies from developing countries, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. Since its establishment in 2000, DCVMN has been working to enhance vaccine production capacity and improve accessibility. Currently, more than 45 vaccine manufacturers from 17 countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America are members of DCVMN, supplying vaccines to approximately 170 countries worldwide. Each year, DCVMN members supply more than 6 billion doses of vaccines, with over 180 vaccines having obtained WHO prequalification (PQ). In particular, DCVMN is responsible for about 70% of the supply of Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines procured through UNICEF and Gavi. During the COVID-19 pandemic, DCVMN member companies supplied more than 60% of the global COVID-19 vaccine output.

Jerome Kim, Director General of IVI, stated, "This year's recipients are leaders who have shaped global immunization policy and represent sustainable vaccine production capacity in developing countries. Professor Orenstein and DCVMN have played a vital role in protecting countless lives worldwide by developing and expanding the supply of affordable, high-quality vaccines."

Ahn Jaeyong, CEO of SK Bioscience, said, "I would like to once again express my respect to all those who strive to safeguard global public health and prevent infectious diseases, including the recipients of the Park MahnHoon Award. SK Bioscience will continue to carry on the spirit of the late Vice Chairman Park MahnHoon by leading innovative vaccine development and stable supply, thereby contributing to the promotion of global public health."

This year’s Park MahnHoon Award ceremony will be held on April 23 to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passing of the late Vice Chairman Park MahnHoon. The recipients are scheduled to visit Korea and attend the award ceremony.

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