GC Green Cross Obtains Product Approval for Chickenpox Vaccine "Barycellage" in Vietnam

Accelerating Expansion into the Southeast Asian Market

GC Green Cross announced on the 16th that its chickenpox vaccine, Barycellage, has received product approval from the Drug Administration of Vietnam (DAV).

Barycellage. GC Green Cross

Since obtaining domestic approval for Barycellage in 2020, GC Green Cross has acquired WHO PQ (Pre-qualification) and is currently accelerating individual country authorizations. This so-called "two-track strategy" involves participating in international procurement agency tenders while simultaneously entering individual markets.

For this product approval, GC Green Cross conducted local clinical trials in Vietnam and demonstrated the product's safety and immunogenicity. This means the company met quality standards that align with the recent regulatory tightening by the Vietnamese Ministry of Health. As chickenpox vaccines are administered to children, the importance of quality certification is further emphasized.

In addition, GC Green Cross plans to focus on generating stable annual revenue through direct sales via its local subsidiary, taking into account the vaccine distribution structure in Vietnam, which is centered on the private market.

The Vietnamese private vaccine market grew at an average annual rate of 32% from 2018 to 2021. As of 2021, the private market was valued at approximately $300 million (about 416 billion KRW), with chickenpox vaccines accounting for 10% of the market. Along with the rapid growth in private vaccination demand, the vaccination rate continues to rise steadily.

Lee Jaewoo, Head of Development at GC Green Cross, stated, "This product approval is more than a simple export achievement; it reflects our localization strategy and will serve as a bridgehead for expansion into the Southeast Asian market." He added, "We will continue to strengthen our position as a trusted vaccine brand by maintaining clinical and quality standards that meet global criteria."

Meanwhile, Barycellage is a live vaccine developed by GC Green Cross using its proprietary 'MAV/06' strain, featuring a high virus content and high yield. Notably, it is the world's first chickenpox vaccine produced without antibiotics, thanks to an aseptic process system.