Competition standards in the global vaccine industry are becoming clearer. Rather than a single technology or production capacity, the execution capability to design everything from research and development (R&D) through process and supply in an integrated way from the outset is emerging as the key condition for collaboration.
According to the industry on February 6, SK Bioscience has established an integrated development system that connects research (R), process development (P), and pilot production (D) in a single loop, leveraging its Global R&PD Center built in Songdo, Incheon. There is an assessment that development speed and execution structure have changed, as research outcomes are immediately linked to process design and all decision-making up to clinical sample acquisition takes place in the same space.
SK Bioscience recorded sales of 651.4 billion won last year, achieving 144% growth compared to the previous year. In particular, its subsidiary IDT Biologika completed integration within one year of acquisition and succeeded in turning a profit earlier than expected in the fourth quarter of last year. Analysts say that as the operating structure, including global bases, has entered a stable phase, the foundation has been laid for pursuing next-generation R&D projects.
Market attention is now focused on the core pipeline. GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine being co-developed with Sanofi, is progressing smoothly through global Phase 3 clinical trials. The next-generation portfolio also signals progress. SK Bioscience plans to sequentially initiate clinical trials and submit Investigational New Drug (IND) applications within this year for a universal COVID-19 vaccine, a next-generation pneumococcal vaccine, and an avian influenza vaccine, among others.
Recently, the company diversified its portfolio by in-licensing a monoclonal antibody candidate for the prevention of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) from Gates MRI, an organization under the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For this candidate, SK Bioscience has secured exclusive commercialization rights in global markets, including advanced economies.
In certain regions, such as India and countries supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, supply will be provided in parallel under the principle of global access. Designed to cover the entire RSV season with a single administration for infants and young children, this antibody therapy is regarded as a key asset, alongside vaccines, for targeting the global public health market. On top of this, the company is also running an Ebola vaccine development project in collaboration with Merck & Co. (MSD) in the United States and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).
Since SK Bioscience ushered in the "Songdo era," joint projects with international organizations and global pharmaceutical companies have followed in succession. As a system that links R&D, process development, production, and global partnerships into a single axis has taken root, observers say the company’s "global bio platform" strategy is now entering the execution phase. A company official said, "This year will be remembered as the first year in which SK Bioscience’s strategy actually began to move."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
