Strengthening Korea-US Cooperation "An Opportunity to Become a Global Vaccine Hub"
SAMBA to Contract Manufacture Moderna Vaccines in Q3
Plans to Discuss Importing Domestically Produced Moderna Vaccines
Further Discussions Needed on Moderna's Investment in Korea
[Asia Economy Reporter Jihee Kim] South Korea and the United States have agreed to strengthen cooperation on vaccine contract manufacturing and research and development in conjunction with their summit meeting. In particular, with Samsung Biologics set to produce hundreds of millions of doses of the Moderna vaccine starting in the third quarter, the types of COVID-19 vaccines produced domestically have increased to four: AstraZeneca, Novavax, Sputnik V, and Moderna. As the domestic introduction of the Moderna vaccine is set to accelerate from the third quarter, the government plans to promote the introduction of domestically produced doses.
Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at the Korea-US vaccine cooperation briefing on the 23rd, "The two countries will establish a Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership through this summit to jointly respond to expanding vaccine production capacity and resolving shortages of raw materials and supplies, and will actively promote scientific and technological cooperation related to vaccine development and production. By combining Korea's vaccine manufacturing capabilities with the US's vaccine technology and raw material supply capacity, we can dramatically expand COVID-19 vaccine production and supply, contributing to resolving the global vaccine supply issue," he stated.
The two countries agreed to establish a comprehensive "Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership" through this summit. Regarding the significance of the partnership, Vice Minister Kang explained, "It means not only jointly responding to the global health crisis but also that Korea can play an important and key role in overcoming the global vaccine shortage. It is also evaluated as a new opportunity for Korea to develop from K-quarantine to a global vaccine hub country." To support the Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership practically, a Korea-US Global Vaccine Partnership expert group composed of scientists, experts, and officials will also be established.
As part of strengthening Korea-US vaccine cooperation, on the morning of the 22nd local time (11 p.m. Korean time on the 22nd), the "Korea-US Vaccine Partnership" event was held at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington DC, USA, with President Moon Jae-in in attendance. At this event, four contracts and memorandums of understanding (MOUs) were signed between the government and companies from both countries for COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing, research and development cooperation, and investment in Korea.
Mass Production of Moderna Vaccine in Korea from Q3... Government: "Will Consult to Introduce Domestically Produced Doses"
First, Samsung Biologics and Moderna signed a contract for COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing. Through this contract, Samsung Biologics will produce hundreds of millions of doses by filling Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine bulk drug substance into finished products and supply them worldwide. After technology transfer and trial production, mass production is planned to begin in the third quarter of this year.
Separately from Samsung Biologics' contract manufacturing, the Moderna vaccines scheduled for domestic introduction will arrive according to previously contracted schedules. Vice Minister Kang said, "The Moderna vaccines introduced domestically will be brought in according to the contracted schedule regardless of contract manufacturing or production timing."
However, authorities plan to negotiate with Moderna to introduce domestically produced doses into Korea. Jung Eun-young, Director of the Vaccine Introduction Office at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "From the perspective of stable vaccine supply and distribution efficiency in Korea, we plan to negotiate with the supplier to ensure that domestically produced doses can be supplied domestically."
Director Jung explained, "The existing contracted doses of Moderna are to be supplied as finished products produced overseas. With the signing of the contract manufacturing agreement with Samsung Biologics this time, we will discuss ensuring that the quantities produced domestically are supplied domestically."
"Moderna to Invest in Establishing Vaccine Production Facilities in Korea... Also Hiring Skilled Personnel"
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Moderna also signed an MOU for cooperation on potential investment and production-related discussions in Korea. The MOU states that Moderna will strive to invest in mRNA vaccine production facilities in Korea and hire Korean personnel, while the Korean government will support Moderna's investment activities and business in Korea. The government expects that discussions related to Moderna's investment in Korea will accelerate following this MOU signing.
Moon Dong-shin, Director of Trade and Investment at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, said, "I understand that Moderna's potential investment is not limited to establishing a branch office. It means that Moderna will invest in building production facilities and strive to hire highly skilled personnel related to bio in Korea. However, specific details will be discussed further," he explained.
Additionally, SK Bioscience has agreed to strengthen cooperation with US-based Novavax on vaccine development and production. Novavax's vaccine is a recombinant protein-based vaccine, and Novavax is currently developing vaccines for COVID-19 variants and combined influenza vaccines. The government expects that public-private cooperation with Novavax will help not only develop next-generation vaccines to respond to variants but also ensure stable supply of vaccines using SK Bioscience's domestic production facilities.
Lastly, the National Institute of Health under the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency signed an MOU with Moderna for research cooperation related to mRNA vaccines. They will collaborate on developing mRNA vaccine research programs and conducting preclinical and clinical studies to respond to infectious diseases with high domestic demand and disease burden, such as COVID-19 variants and tuberculosis. Authorities said, "Through the MOU, we have established a foundation for strengthened cooperation by utilizing Moderna's excellent mRNA technology and the National Institute of Health's research infrastructure. We expect this to greatly help in promptly securing mRNA vaccine core technology domestically."
Meanwhile, during this summit, the US announced it would provide COVID-19 vaccines for 550,000 Korean soldiers, but the government stated that specific vaccination schedules need to be discussed with the US. Vice Minister Kang said, "Specific vaccination plans need to be discussed with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, the Ministry of National Defense, and the US going forward," adding, "The exact timing and vaccine types also need to be finalized through diplomatic efforts."
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