On the 1st Anniversary of the First COVID-19 Case, SK Bioscience Vaccine Production Site Inspection
[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] On the 20th, President Moon Jae-in held a video conference with the global pharmaceutical company Novavax and decided to promote a plan to supply 20 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to South Korea through technology transfer.
On the same day, marking one year since the first COVID-19 patient was reported, President Moon visited the SK Bioscience factory in Andong, Gyeongbuk, to inspect the vaccine production site. SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Minister of Health and Welfare Kwon Deok-cheol, and Deputy Director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Na Sung-woong accompanied him.
At this site, SK Bioscience is contract-manufacturing vaccines for AstraZeneca and Novavax, and is also developing a synthetic antigen-based COVID-19 vaccine. At the event, President Moon said, "Seeing the vaccines produced at SK Bioscience gave me hope and confidence that we will soon overcome COVID-19," and urged, "Please make every effort to ensure that safe and high-quality vaccines are produced."
After the on-site inspection, President Moon attended a video conference with Stanley Erck, CEO of Novavax, to discuss the technology transfer of Novavax vaccines and the domestic supply method, including additional production. The Blue House stated, "This is the first time that the domestic supply of COVID-19 vaccines is being promoted through technology transfer."
Once the technology contract between SK Bioscience and Novavax is completed, additional quantities will be produced separately from the existing contract manufacturing. The government plans to pre-purchase vaccines produced through technology transfer and supply them domestically.
In addition to the 56 million doses of Moderna, Pfizer, Janssen, AstraZeneca, and COVAX Facility vaccines already secured, an additional 20 million doses will be secured. President Moon evaluated, "Beyond the most basic contract manufacturing method, our companies will be able to significantly contribute to securing the original technology for vaccine development."
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