SK bioscience, a leading vaccine manufacturer based in the Republic of Korea and a key partner of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), is launching an initiative to support the advancement of vaccine research and development.

SK bioscience recently had a consultative meeting with IVI to seek sustainable cooperation to respond to the next pandemic. The meeting was followed by a donation ceremony. SK bioscience announced on the day that it would provide KRW 3 billion in donations to IVI to support vaccine R&D, and equipment and device purchases.  

SK bioscience and IVI have been working together for nearly 10 years to achieve the common goal of promoting global public health. Last year, SK bioscience successfully developed a typhoid vaccine, SKYTyphoid which applied IVI’s conjugated vaccine production technology. From the early stage of research and development, the vaccine was supported with research funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and SK bioscience was in charge of R&D, production and licensing while IVI coordinated global clinical trials.

Korea’s first COVID-19 vaccine, SKYCovione is also a result of cooperation with IVI.

SK Discovery Vice Chairman Chang-won Chey, “The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated that it is impossible for companies, institutions, or a government alone to cope with the next pandemic. Strengthening cooperation with IVI will be a cornerstone to protect the health and happiness of people through the advancement of vaccine R&D.”

Image caption- (from left) SK Discovery Vice Chairman Chang-won Chey, and SK bioscience President Jae-yong Ahn, Dr B.G. Rhee, Chairman of the Korea Support Committee for IVI’s Board of Trustees, and IVI Director General Dr Jerome Kim.