SK bioscience to expand facilities for new pneumococcal vaccine

[Courtesy of SK bioscience]

South Korea’s SK bioscience is expanding its vaccine production facilities to establish a foothold in the next-generation pneumococcal vaccine market. The company announced plans on Tuesday to expand its Andong L House facility in Gyeongbuk, initiating the necessary procedures following its board meeting.

SK bioscience decided to invest 81.5 billion won ($63 million) into this expansion project. This will be coupled with investments from Sanofi to build a new 4,200 square meter production facility.

The new facility will be used to produce a 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine under joint development between SK bioscience and Sanofi. SK bioscience gained attention in June for announcing its phase 2 trial results of GBP410 (SP0202), an investigative 21-valent pneumococcal protein conjugate vaccine, for infants. The company is currently preparing for a global phase 3 trial with an aim to receive marketing approval by 2027. Upon completion of approval, the vaccine will be manufactured at Andong L House to cater to the global market.

GBP410 is a protein-conjugate vaccine that binds a specific protein to the coat polysaccharide of pneumococci that cause pneumonia and invasive disease.

“This facility expansion will serve as a foundation for our ongoing pipeline to enter international markets,” said SK bioscience CEO Ahn Jae-yong.