Celltrion Also Begins Development of mRNA Vaccine

Next-Generation mRNA Vaccine Development Contract

Incheon Songdo Celltrion Plant 2 Overview. / Incheon - Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Celltrion, the maker of Korea's first domestically produced COVID-19 treatment, is finally entering vaccine development. The company aims to develop a messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine platform, which has recently gained significant attention, to secure a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine effective against variant viruses. With full-cycle new drug development capabilities from clinical trials to approval, Celltrion's initiation of COVID-19 vaccine development is expected to accelerate the progress of domestically produced COVID-19 vaccines. ▶Related article on page 4

On the 4th, Celltrion announced that it had signed a contract with the U.S. company TriLink Biotechnology to develop a next-generation mRNA vaccine. TriLink is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) based on an mRNA platform, possessing proprietary vectors and third-generation capping technology (CleanCap) essential for mRNA vaccine development. Under this contract, TriLink will produce and supply materials for Celltrion to conduct Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials. It will also provide mRNA process technology capable of manufacturing under Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards.

Celltrion plans to focus initially on developing a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine that prevents various variant viruses. It intends to build mRNA process facilities to produce large-scale Phase 3 clinical trial materials independently. Furthermore, by securing the mRNA platform, Celltrion aims to expand its technological scope beyond COVID-19 to other diseases such as cancer.

Celltrion hinted at the possibility of developing a COVID-19 vaccine earlier this year. In February, Seo Jung-jin, Honorary Chairman of Celltrion, stated, "If variant viruses spread, it is important to have technological sovereignty," adding, "If vaccine technology independence is not achieved, we are preparing to enter the vaccine field." At the time, Seo expressed a cautious stance, saying, "It means we will reluctantly proceed if there are no other alternatives," but as there was no progress in domestic vaccine development afterward, it is interpreted that he eventually took direct action.

A Celltrion official said, "Since mentioning the possibility of COVID-19 vaccine development, we have been actively pursuing development," adding, "Through this collaboration, we will secure our own mRNA platform technology and apply it to new drug development in various fields to expand our new drug portfolio."

Meanwhile, the government announced that negotiations for next year's vaccine procurement are in the "final stages." The vaccine to be procured is 50 million doses of the mRNA type.