Leading Figure in COVID-19 and Meningococcal Vaccine Development, Awarded the Vaccine Industry Nobel Prize 'Park Man-hoon Award'

SK Bioscience and International Vaccine Institute Co-Host
Award Ceremony on the 25th of Next Month

SK Bioscience announced on the 7th that the recipients of the 'Park Man-hoon Award,' known as the Nobel Prize of the vaccine industry, sponsored by the company and hosted by the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), have been announced. Scholars who led the development of COVID-19 vaccines and meningococcal vaccines became this year's Park Man-hoon Award winners.

Dr. Mariagrazia Pizza (left) and Dr. Rino Rappuoli of GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), who were selected as the winners of this year's Park Man-hoon Award.
[Photo by SK Bioscience]

The Park Man-hoon Award was established in 2021 to honor the achievements of the late Park Man-hoon, Vice Chairman of SK Bioscience and a pioneer of domestic cell culture vaccines, and to recognize researchers and organizations who have made significant contributions in the vaccine industry.

This year, the second time the award has been given, the recipients were selected as joint winners: Dr. Rino Rappuoli and Dr. Mariagrazia Pizza from GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), and Professor Andrew Pollard and Professor Sarah Gilbert from the University of Oxford.

Dr. Rino Rappuoli and Dr. Mariagrazia Pizza were recognized for jointly developing the world's first meningococcal B vaccine, which is rare but highly fatal in children and adolescents, opening a new horizon for child protection worldwide. Dr. Rappuoli is a pioneer in 'reverse vaccinology,' a research approach that utilizes genetic information for vaccine development, which he applied to develop the meningococcal B vaccine. Dr. Pizza, as GSK's senior researcher in bacterial vaccines, played a key role in the development by designing the pertussis toxin necessary for the meningococcal B vaccine.

Professor Andrew Pollard (left) and Professor Sarah Gilbert of Oxford University, who were selected as the recipients of this year's Park Man-hoon Award.
[Photo by SK Bioscience]

Professor Andrew Pollard and Professor Sarah Gilbert were recognized for developing the AstraZeneca vaccine, widely used in the early response to the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the first step toward a safe return to daily life. Professor Pollard, head of the vaccine group in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Oxford, led the development of the AstraZeneca vaccine. He also played a crucial role in vaccination policies and conducted major clinical and basic research on key infectious diseases such as meningococcal disease, typhoid fever, and COVID-19. Professor Gilbert contributed to the rapid development of new vaccines by researching technology transfer to GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) level vaccine production facilities.

The recipients were selected by a selection committee composed of 12 experts, including Dr. Jerome Kim, Secretary General of IVI, and Kim Hoon, CEO of SK Bioscience, who reviewed individuals and organizations that have achieved meaningful results in vaccine research, development, and distribution.

SK Bioscience plans to institutionalize the Park Man-hoon Award as the most prestigious award in the vaccine field and contribute to the development of the global vaccine industry by donating 200 million KRW annually as prize money. The award ceremony is scheduled for the 25th of next month, marking the second anniversary of Vice Chairman Park's passing.

Dr. Jerome Kim, Secretary General of IVI, said, "I sincerely congratulate the recipients of the 2nd Park Man-hoon Award and am pleased to express gratitude once again this year to SK Bioscience and those who have contributed to the advancement of the global vaccine field."

Kim Hoon, CEO of SK Bioscience, said, "Developing vaccines is a task that must be pursued with a shared commitment to improving human health despite long periods and fears of uncertainty. We will carry on the spirit of Vice Chairman Park Man-hoon, who greatly contributed to the global health industry, and continue to take the lead with the International Vaccine Institute to ensure vaccine development and equitable supply."