Accelerating Vaccine Development Through International Cooperation

[Asia Economy Reporter Chunhee Lee] A platform has been established to strengthen international cooperation for vaccine development.

On the afternoon of the 16th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it held the 'Korea- Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) Vaccine Roundtable' at the President Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to enhance cooperation in vaccine development and production. This event was organized to share the current status of vaccine projects between Korea and CEPI and to discuss ways to overcome global health crises through collaboration between domestic vaccine companies and CEPI.

CEPI is an organization established in 2017 to support vaccine development and equitable distribution for emerging infectious diseases. It invests in vaccine companies worldwide through contributions from governments and charitable funds. Through the joint marketplace 'COVAX Marketplace,' which connects vaccine development, production, and raw material companies, CEPI promotes collaboration among vaccine companies and drives acceleration of global vaccine supply.

Korea joined CEPI last year and pledged an annual contribution of $3 million (approximately 3.5 billion KRW) for three years from 2020 to 2022. Korean vaccine companies are also closely cooperating with CEPI in research collaboration and support, such as SK Bioscience receiving $210 million (approximately 247.7 billion KRW) in funding for COVID-19 vaccine development.

At this event held on the occasion of CEPI’s visit to Korea, CEPI was represented by CEO Richard Hatchett, Korea Officer Gro Arnett Nicolaisen, and Vaccine Development Project Leader Yoon In-kyu. On the Korean side, attendees included Kwon Deok-cheol, Minister of Health and Welfare; Assemblyman Kang Byung-won; Kwon Jun-wook, Director of the Korea National Institute of Health; Jerome Kim, Director General of the International Vaccine Institute (IVI); Muk Hyun-sang, Director of the National New Drug Development Project; and representatives from 12 domestic vaccine companies including SK Bioscience, GC Green Cross, Cellid, iGen, Prestige BioPharma, UbioLogics, GeneOne Life Science, ST Pharm, Chong Kun Dang Bio, Quratis, Enzychem Lifesciences, and Icell.

Following this, presentations from CEPI and Korean government, companies, and experts were made to share the current status and future plans of the vaccine industry on both sides. CEPI focused on introducing its mid- to long-term plan, the 'CEPI 2.0 Production Strategy,' emphasizing the need to strengthen cooperation with major countries including Korea. The CEPI 2.0 Production Strategy is a five-year plan from 2022 to 2026 aimed at strengthening the response infrastructure for infectious disease crises, including drastically shortening vaccine development timelines and enhancing capacities in low-income countries.

On the Korean side, the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Global Vaccine Hub Promotion Team presented the 'K-Global Vaccine Hub Strategy' and the 'Global Bio Workforce Development Hub Promotion Plan.' Subsequently, SK Bioscience introduced its cooperation status with CEPI, including funding and comparator vaccine support for self-developed vaccines and contracts for vaccine production facility use, emphasizing the need for joint efforts among the government, international organizations, and the private sector to ensure rapid vaccine supply.

Minister Kwon Deok-cheol stated, “International cooperation to ensure sufficient quantities of vaccines are supplied equitably worldwide is more important than ever,” adding, “The cooperation between Korea, which has world-class vaccine and raw material production capabilities, and CEPI, which plays a central role in accelerating global vaccine development and expanding supply, will be an excellent example contributing not only to overcoming COVID-19 but also future infectious diseases.”