●South Korea`s Very Own Quadrivalent Influenza Vaccine Launched for All Patients Three Years of Age and Older

- SK chemicals to launch SKYCellflu Quadrivalent, the world’s first cell-culture quadrivalent influenza vaccine
- Immunogenicity and safety verified for 3-year-olds and older, with 5 million doses to be supplied this year alone



The world`s first cell-culture quadrivalent influenza vaccine will be initially launched in South Korea for all patients three years of age and older.

SK chemicals (Man-hun Park, President) announced the launch of its cell-culture quadrivalent influenza vaccine, SKYCellflu Quadrivalent, on the 23rd of this month and that vaccinations were to begin in hospitals and clinics throughout South Korea.

Developed by SK chemicals, SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is the world`s first cell-culture quadrivalent influenza vaccine capable of protecting against four strains of influenza viruses with just a single vaccination. Unlike traditional egg-based vaccines, a sterile incubator using a cell-culture technique ensures antibiotic-free production quality.

Notably, SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is the only domestically-produced quadrivalent influenza vaccine ready for use in patients three years and older.

"National clinical trials conducted for SKYCellflu Quadrivalent in 1,503 adults and 454 children proved the vaccine to be immunogenic in patients three-years-old and older," explained Professor Jae-gap Lee of the Department of Infectious Diseases of Hallym University Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, who led the clinical trials for SKYCellflu Quadrivalent.

Regarding the vaccine`s safety, Professor Yun-kyeong Kim of the Department of Pediatrics of Korea University Ansan Hospital stated, "We didn`t encounter a single case of serious adverse drug reaction (SADR)."

As an evolution from trivalent vaccines, the quadrivalent influenza vaccine includes an additional influenza B virus to protect against four virus types--two subtypes of type-B viruses (Yamagata and Victoria) and two subtypes of type-A viruses (H1N1 and H3N2). Conventional trivalent influenza vaccines were developed to include only one of two virus types, influenza A or B. However, mismatches between trending strains and B viruses not included in trivalent influenza vaccines occurred frequently. Thus, in recent years, the need for broader protection from a quadrivalent influenza vaccine was heightened since two B virus types began trending simultaneously.

Since the 2013-to-2014 flu season, the World Health Organization (WHO), European Medicines Agency (EMA), and US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have all been advocating inoculation with quadrivalent influenza vaccines for a wider range of preventive effects. In the case of Australia, a quadrivalent influenza vaccine was first introduced for a national vaccination project targeting high-risk patients such as the elderly, pregnant women, and infants. This year, inoculations of all patients are with quadrivalent influenza vaccines.

SK chemicals is projecting to supply five million doses this year, a 40% increase over last year’s sales of trivalent vaccines. Based on the existing sales figures, SK chemicals has justified this year`s supply by monitoring the degree of acceptance for new vaccines among medical staff and consumers.

Kwang-hyeon Jeon of SK chemicals` marketing division stated, "In terms of safety and preventive effects, SKYCellflu Quadrivalent is a leap forward compared to trivalent flu vaccines." He added, "The new vaccine will certainly contribute to public health through active promotion targeting physicians and consumers."

Six major South Korean cities including Seoul, Daegu, and Busan were the sites of twelve SK chemicals symposiums that attested to the safety and efficacy of SKYCellflu Quadrivalent vaccines. Last month, SK chemicals also made news by signing a joint marketing agreement with JW Shinyak for SKYCellflu Quadrivalent to bolster the sales and marketing infrastructure in Korea`s hospital and clinic markets.



[PHOTO]
#Inoculation with the world`s first cell-culture quadrivalent influenza vaccine SKYCellflu Quadrivalent (pre-filled syringe) will begin August 23rd at hospitals and clinics nationwide.