SK Bioscience has begun developing a rotavirus vaccine in collaboration with global health organizations.
On June 9, SK Bioscience announced that it has signed a licensing agreement with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the development of an injectable rotavirus vaccine. This agreement allows the company to utilize the CDC's technology for injectable rotavirus vaccine candidates to enhance production processes. Once the process development is complete, the company plans to proceed with clinical trials and commercialization.
Rotavirus is a leading infectious disease that causes severe diarrhea and dehydration in children under five years old. It is known to be a significant contributor to child mortality due to diarrhea worldwide. According to a report by the global market research firm Business Research Insights, the global rotavirus vaccine market is projected to grow from approximately $8.12 billion in 2024 to about $13.9 billion by 2033.
Previously, the CDC developed an injectable inactivated rotavirus vaccine technology and conducted Phase 1 clinical trials. SK Bioscience aims to establish a production process that can improve efficacy while reducing costs based on this technology.
Research funding for the process development will be co-invested with a global foundation. The company signed an agreement with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation last June to support research and development costs for the vaccine process. Currently, the commercially available oral vaccines show high efficacy in developed countries, but their effectiveness is relatively lower in developing countries, highlighting the need for injectable vaccine development.
An Jae-yong, CEO of SK Bioscience, stated, "We will contribute to solving global health issues based on the technology developed by the CDC and strive to develop vaccines for children in developing countries."
Meanwhile, SK Bioscience is contributing to the domestic infectious disease prevention system by reliably supplying its self-developed flu and varicella vaccines through the National Immunization Program (NIP). The company has developed the first shingles vaccine in the country, which is utilized in local government vaccination support programs, and is also advancing the development of a cell-cultured avian influenza (H5N1) vaccine.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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