Kwon Jun-wook "200 Billion Won Spent Only on Vaccine Phase 3 Trials... Reflecting on Whether Conditions Were Provided to Developers" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "Immediately, more than 200 billion KRW in funding is typically required just for the Phase 3 clinical trials of a vaccine. We continuously reflect on whether we have provided such support and conditions to R&D experts and development companies."

Kwon Jun-wook, the 2nd Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, made a 'determined statement.' This remark drew attention amid growing domestic supply concerns as preference for messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna became clear following recent AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccine blood clot controversies.

At the regular briefing of the COVID-19 Central Disease Control Headquarters on the 15th, Deputy Director Kwon began by saying, "Although I am the 2nd Deputy Director of the Central Disease Control Headquarters, as the Director of the National Institute of Health, I feel regretful and apologetic that domestic COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutic research and development have not progressed at a pace beyond expectations."

Deputy Director Kwon attributed the delay in domestic researchers' vaccine development to a lack of 'accumulated time' for development and research.

He said, "Investment is also an issue. Typically, more than 200 billion KRW in funding is required just for the Phase 3 clinical trials of a vaccine."

Deputy Director Kwon explained, "Developing one vaccine requires thousands of billions of KRW in investment and time, even in situations where failure is possible. Ultimately, vaccine and therapeutic development is a process that requires financial input, trust, and patience, all made with the acceptance of potential failure."

He lamented, "We continuously reflect on whether we have created such support and conditions for R&D experts and development companies." He added, "We will continue to do our best to foster an environment where vaccine and therapeutic development can be pursued without fear of failure, and where a constant research and development attitude is respected."

Domestic vaccine development is currently at the Phase 1/2 clinical trial stage, with a total of five companies having received clinical trial plan approvals and conducting trials.

SK Bioscience's recombinant protein vaccine, GeneOne Life Science's DNA vaccine, and UbioLogics' recombinant protein vaccine are conducting Phase 1 clinical trials. Genexine's DNA vaccine and Cellid's viral vector vaccine have entered Phase 2 clinical trials.

However, development and research on mRNA vaccines such as Pfizer and Moderna are still in the early stages. The biopharmaceutical industry forecasts that without full government support and investment, commercialization will take several years.