The International Vaccine Institute (IVI), established in October 1997 under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is the first international organization headquartered in South Korea. It is the only global organization dedicated to developing vaccines for children in developing countries, with 42 countries, including Sweden, India, Finland, and China, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO), having signed its founding agreement.
Over the past 30 years, IVI has collaborated with domestic companies to achieve significant global vaccine milestones. Notably, it transferred its technology for an oral cholera vaccine to the domestic venture company, EuBiologics, in 2010. Through partnerships, IVI has supplied over 240 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine to 52 countries, with more than 80% of the vaccine currently produced in South Korea. A typhoid conjugate vaccine developed in collaboration with SK Bioscience has also passed WHO prequalification for commercialization.
At the heart of these efforts is the IVI Korea Support Committee, which has led fundraising activities from both domestic and international supporters. The committee plays a crucial role in supporting IVI's growth as a leading global vaccine development organization, with Park Sang-cheol, a distinguished professor known for his expertise in aging and longevity science, serving as its chairman.
In a recent interview at IVI's headquarters in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Chairman Park discussed IVI's achievements, challenges, and the value of vaccines. Below are excerpts from the conversation.
- What is the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)?
"IVI develops and distributes vaccines for children in developing countries, particularly in impoverished areas. We do not just create vaccines in the lab; we also investigate the actual incidence of diseases and develop vaccine candidates. We transfer technology to manufacturers after clinical trials and approvals. We train local researchers and healthcare workers to ensure vaccinations can be administered in developing countries, providing necessary infrastructure such as refrigeration, power, and cold chain support. Simply bringing vaccines is not enough; if there are no refrigerators, we need to provide them, and if there is no electricity, we must establish a power supply."
- What are some of IVI's notable achievements?
"The development of the cholera vaccine is a key achievement. Cholera primarily affects impoverished regions, but pharmaceutical companies often hesitate to develop vaccines for diseases with low market profitability. Historically, cholera vaccines were administered via injection, requiring medical personnel and posing challenges in transportation and storage. IVI led the development and commercialization of the world's first low-cost oral cholera vaccine. We transferred this technology to EuBiologics in 2010, and as of last year, over 240 million doses have been supplied to 52 countries. This collaboration between domestic manufacturing capabilities and IVI's international clinical and development expertise has positioned South Korea as a central supplier of oral cholera vaccines.
The typhoid conjugate vaccine is another significant achievement. IVI spearheaded its development, with SK Bioscience participating in its commercialization, resulting in a vaccine suitable for infants and young children. Last year, we also conducted evaluations of the real-world effectiveness of the mpox vaccine, initiated Phase II clinical trials for a new cholera conjugate vaccine, and began early clinical research for a vaccine against Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), among other projects."
- What vaccine developments are currently underway?
"We are collaborating with domestic companies in the next-generation vaccine field. We are developing an SFTS mRNA vaccine with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Seoul National University, and ST Pharm. We are also working with Quad Medicine on microneedle patch technology for measles, rubella, and COVID-19 vaccines. A hepatitis B microneedle vaccine, co-developed with Quad Medicine, LG Chem, and Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Additionally, we are conducting research with CreoSG and POSTECH to optimize synthetic antigens for rotavirus and dengue virus using AI-based protein design. Our goal is to secure candidate substances and manufacturing technologies while conducting some preclinical trials."
- How is IVI preparing for the changing landscape of infectious diseases due to climate change and demographic shifts?
"Infectious diseases typically emerge in tropical regions, and climate change alters the habitats of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. New infectious diseases may arise in areas where they previously did not exist, and it is challenging to predict when and where diseases will emerge. The population is also changing, with an increase in the elderly, chronic disease patients, and immunocompromised individuals, raising the risk of severe illness from the same infections. Urbanization and increased international travel heighten the likelihood of local outbreaks spreading rapidly worldwide.
IVI's core mission remains unchanged: to protect impoverished children in developing countries from infectious diseases. However, our research scope has expanded to include preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. We are currently focusing on diseases such as Ebola, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, mpox, and SFTS. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we are conducting studies on the real-world effectiveness of the mpox vaccine in collaboration with local research institutions. We are also developing mRNA vaccine candidates for Rift Valley fever with Afrigen Biologics in South Africa. Additionally, we are researching vaccines for diseases with insufficient development, such as pneumonia, Group A Streptococcus, and schistosomiasis, to address antimicrobial resistance. Our aim is to establish a system that allows for immediate production and clinical response whenever viral issues arise globally."
- Finally, what is the value of vaccines, and why is global collaboration important?
"Diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and schistosomiasis cause significant harm in low- and middle-income countries, but their low commercial viability makes it difficult for private companies to continue vaccine development and distribution. Therefore, governments, international organizations, research institutions, companies, and foundations must share responsibilities and collaborate in the long term. IVI supports the entire cycle of vaccine discovery and development, including preclinical and clinical trials, technology transfer, regulatory compliance, and evaluation of vaccine utility and distribution. We also strengthen local research and manufacturing capabilities and health systems to ensure that production and supply lead to actual vaccinations in the necessary countries.
Infectious diseases do not recognize borders. The threat of an outbreak in one region ultimately connects to global health security, meaning vaccines cannot be considered the asset of any single nation. Every person worldwide should be equally protected from preventable diseases. Saving a child in one country ultimately contributes to the safety of the entire world. The international community must work together in vaccine development and distribution."
Over the past 30 years, IVI has collaborated with domestic companies to achieve significant global vaccine milestones. Notably, it transferred its technology for an oral cholera vaccine to the domestic venture company, EuBiologics, in 2010. Through partnerships, IVI has supplied over 240 million doses of the oral cholera vaccine to 52 countries, with more than 80% of the vaccine currently produced in South Korea. A typhoid conjugate vaccine developed in collaboration with SK Bioscience has also passed WHO prequalification for commercialization.
At the heart of these efforts is the IVI Korea Support Committee, which has led fundraising activities from both domestic and international supporters. The committee plays a crucial role in supporting IVI's growth as a leading global vaccine development organization, with Park Sang-cheol, a distinguished professor known for his expertise in aging and longevity science, serving as its chairman.
In a recent interview at IVI's headquarters in Sillim-dong, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Chairman Park discussed IVI's achievements, challenges, and the value of vaccines. Below are excerpts from the conversation.
- What is the International Vaccine Institute (IVI)?
"IVI develops and distributes vaccines for children in developing countries, particularly in impoverished areas. We do not just create vaccines in the lab; we also investigate the actual incidence of diseases and develop vaccine candidates. We transfer technology to manufacturers after clinical trials and approvals. We train local researchers and healthcare workers to ensure vaccinations can be administered in developing countries, providing necessary infrastructure such as refrigeration, power, and cold chain support. Simply bringing vaccines is not enough; if there are no refrigerators, we need to provide them, and if there is no electricity, we must establish a power supply."
- What are some of IVI's notable achievements?
"The development of the cholera vaccine is a key achievement. Cholera primarily affects impoverished regions, but pharmaceutical companies often hesitate to develop vaccines for diseases with low market profitability. Historically, cholera vaccines were administered via injection, requiring medical personnel and posing challenges in transportation and storage. IVI led the development and commercialization of the world's first low-cost oral cholera vaccine. We transferred this technology to EuBiologics in 2010, and as of last year, over 240 million doses have been supplied to 52 countries. This collaboration between domestic manufacturing capabilities and IVI's international clinical and development expertise has positioned South Korea as a central supplier of oral cholera vaccines.
The typhoid conjugate vaccine is another significant achievement. IVI spearheaded its development, with SK Bioscience participating in its commercialization, resulting in a vaccine suitable for infants and young children. Last year, we also conducted evaluations of the real-world effectiveness of the mpox vaccine, initiated Phase II clinical trials for a new cholera conjugate vaccine, and began early clinical research for a vaccine against Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS), among other projects."
- What vaccine developments are currently underway?
"We are collaborating with domestic companies in the next-generation vaccine field. We are developing an SFTS mRNA vaccine with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Seoul National University, and ST Pharm. We are also working with Quad Medicine on microneedle patch technology for measles, rubella, and COVID-19 vaccines. A hepatitis B microneedle vaccine, co-developed with Quad Medicine, LG Chem, and Hallym University Gangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, is currently in Phase I clinical trials. Additionally, we are conducting research with CreoSG and POSTECH to optimize synthetic antigens for rotavirus and dengue virus using AI-based protein design. Our goal is to secure candidate substances and manufacturing technologies while conducting some preclinical trials."
- How is IVI preparing for the changing landscape of infectious diseases due to climate change and demographic shifts?
"Infectious diseases typically emerge in tropical regions, and climate change alters the habitats of vectors like mosquitoes and ticks. New infectious diseases may arise in areas where they previously did not exist, and it is challenging to predict when and where diseases will emerge. The population is also changing, with an increase in the elderly, chronic disease patients, and immunocompromised individuals, raising the risk of severe illness from the same infections. Urbanization and increased international travel heighten the likelihood of local outbreaks spreading rapidly worldwide.
IVI's core mission remains unchanged: to protect impoverished children in developing countries from infectious diseases. However, our research scope has expanded to include preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and pandemics. We are currently focusing on diseases such as Ebola, dengue fever, Rift Valley fever, mpox, and SFTS. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, we are conducting studies on the real-world effectiveness of the mpox vaccine in collaboration with local research institutions. We are also developing mRNA vaccine candidates for Rift Valley fever with Afrigen Biologics in South Africa. Additionally, we are researching vaccines for diseases with insufficient development, such as pneumonia, Group A Streptococcus, and schistosomiasis, to address antimicrobial resistance. Our aim is to establish a system that allows for immediate production and clinical response whenever viral issues arise globally."
- Finally, what is the value of vaccines, and why is global collaboration important?
"Diseases like cholera, typhoid fever, and schistosomiasis cause significant harm in low- and middle-income countries, but their low commercial viability makes it difficult for private companies to continue vaccine development and distribution. Therefore, governments, international organizations, research institutions, companies, and foundations must share responsibilities and collaborate in the long term. IVI supports the entire cycle of vaccine discovery and development, including preclinical and clinical trials, technology transfer, regulatory compliance, and evaluation of vaccine utility and distribution. We also strengthen local research and manufacturing capabilities and health systems to ensure that production and supply lead to actual vaccinations in the necessary countries.
Infectious diseases do not recognize borders. The threat of an outbreak in one region ultimately connects to global health security, meaning vaccines cannot be considered the asset of any single nation. Every person worldwide should be equally protected from preventable diseases. Saving a child in one country ultimately contributes to the safety of the entire world. The international community must work together in vaccine development and distribution."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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