[BizLeader] Hwang Hochun "A Sense of Mission in Developing a Korean-Type COVID-19 Vaccine"

'Global COVID Booster Shot' Korea-Type Vaccine Production Leader
Smooth Production Preparation After Technology Transfer of CoviHeal ... Contributing to the Goal of Becoming a Vaccine Powerhouse

Hwang Hochun, Head of the Animal Cell Demonstration Support Center, Vaccine Global Industrialization Infrastructure Project Group.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hyowon] “KoviHill, which is being reborn as a full-fledged Korean-style vaccine in Korea where vaccine production core technology is weak, combines excellent safety and convenience, and will be spotlighted as a booster shot in Latin America, Africa, and other regions.”

Hwang Hochun, Director of the Animal Cell Validation Support Center (hereinafter Animal Cell Validation Center) of the Vaccine Global Industrialization Foundation, stated this in an interview with Asia Economy regarding KoviHill, which is currently undergoing technology transfer.

The Animal Cell Validation Center signed a 'four-party contract for manufacturing consignment and subcontracting of COVID-19 vaccines' in May with Pharma Biotech Global (PBTG), a Korea-Russia joint venture, and is conducting contract manufacturing (CMO) of the Korean-style vaccine 'KoviHill' through technology transfer from Russia's Chumakov Institute.

Director Hwang Hochun is Korea’s top vaccine production expert, having been responsible for vaccine quality control and manufacturing management for nearly 40 years at companies such as Green Cross and Verna Biotech Korea.

Having dedicated himself to this project from the early stages, Director Hwang explained, “We are meticulously carrying out the work for Korean-style vaccine production with the Chumakov technology transfer team that arrived in Korea last November. We have already completed the culturing of Vero cells provided by Chumakov and are preparing for virus culturing, proceeding smoothly with the processes for full-scale production.”

KoviHill differs from existing Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines in that it induces an immune response by inoculating inactivated (killed) virus, a principle developed in the late 1800s. More than 90% of vaccines produced worldwide for diseases such as influenza and polio are inactivated vaccines.

Inactivated vaccines require refrigeration storage (2~8℃), making them easier to transport and distribute in hot and less developed countries compared to vaccines requiring freezing or ultra-low temperature storage. It is known to be highly effective not only against the fiercely spreading Delta variant but also against recently prevalent mutant viruses, making it a booster shot with fewer side effects and convenient distribution.

Director Hwang said, “In Latin American and African countries where booster shot vaccination rates are still low, mutant viruses are rampant,” and expressed hope that “KoviHill vaccines produced in Korea through technology transfer could be the answer.”

He added, “I heard from the Russian technical team that experiments on recipients of this vaccine showed excellent neutralizing antibody production against Delta and Omicron variants,” and said, “I want to quickly complete the technology transfer and contribute to global health and well-being with the KoviHill vaccine.”

He emphasized, “Producing KoviHill does not simply mean making a COVID-19 vaccine but securing a platform for producing inactivated vaccines applicable to various diseases. The Animal Cell Validation Support Center, equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, will be helpful and contribute to the national goal of becoming a vaccine production powerhouse.”

Of course, many hurdles remain to produce the finished KoviHill product. Complex step-by-step processes such as virus culturing, inactivation, addition of various additives, and mixture culturing remain.

Director Hwang said, “We are proceeding cautiously step by step, mindful of risks that may arise from differences in production equipment and experimental facilities between the two countries,” and added, “Since the product has already been administered locally in Russia and our center’s inactivated vaccine production technology has been verified, we expect the remaining processes to proceed smoothly.”

Meanwhile, the industry evaluates that the production of KoviHill, which is proceeding with complete technology transfer, will have a large production inducement effect because it means that everything from raw materials to finished pharmaceuticals can be exported, going beyond simple COVID-19 vaccine production.