● SK chemicals signs an agreement with global organization for vaccine co-development and manufacturing“Initiating next-generation rotavirus vaccine development”
- PATH will transfer the technology to develop a new rotavirus vaccine,
which is currently in a global phase II trial, to SK chemicals.
- Both Parties will cooperate on a further phase III study and global registration.
Clinical materials for future trials and commercial production will be carried out at
SK chemicals’ L House .
SK chemicals is expanding its global presence based on its advanced vaccine research technology and production competency.
SK chemicals announced on 1st of May that it has entered into an Agreement with a global NPO (Non-Profit Organization), PATH, for new rotavirus vaccine development.
The aim of this Agreement is to obtain global registration and to supply vaccines at lower prices to developing countries, by transferring rotavirus vaccine technology developed by PATH to SK chemicals and collaborating on process development and commercial manufacturing.
By entering in to this Agreement, PATH will transfer the technology of the new rotavirus vaccine, which is currently in a phase II clinical trial, to SK chemicals. SK chemicals will then carry out the process optimization, the production of clinical materials, which will be supplied to PATH for future clinical trials, and the commercial production for export subsequent to successful clinical trial results and global registration, at SK chemicals’ L House (vaccine production facility) in Andong.
Working together to obtain WHO (World Health Organization) prequalification for the supply of the vaccines in developing countries is also contemplated for the future.
“We are grateful for this first partnership with PATH and it will contribute to the expansion of various vaccine pipelines in the future. SK chemicals is also working with another global private charitable foundation, to develop typhoid vaccines to support developing countries.” said Dr. Mahnhoon Park, CEO of SK chemicals.
The WHO recognizes that rotavirus is a prominent cause of child death worldwide, with more than two million people hospitalized every year with rotavirus enteritis and about 215,000 deaths worldwide. In particular, the death rates are concentrated in low-and middle-income countries in Asia and Africa, where vaccination can be difficult due to infrastructure and service delivery challenges.
