#Australia #Seongnam #COVID-19 vaccine #SK bioscience #Universal Vaccine

SK bioscience Advances Universal Coronavirus Vaccine

In a promising step towards pandemic preparedness, SK bioscience, a prominent player in vaccine research and development, has announced the filing for a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for its candidate GBP511, a universal coronavirus vaccine designed to protect against COVID-19 variants and other sarbecoviruses. This significant trial is set to take place in Australia and aims to enroll approximately 500 healthy adults aged 18 and older.

The GBP511 vaccine candidate is particularly noteworthy as it transcends the limitations of current vaccines that primarily target specific strains, offering a broader protective range across the sarbecovirus family. This includes not only SARS-CoV-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, but also other related variants that continue to pose a threat to public health.

Beginning in 2021, the development of GBP511 has been supported by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), which allocated around USD 65 million aimed at advancing early-stage clinical trials and manufacturing processes. This funding underlines the vaccine’s potential impact and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to prevent future outbreaks.

The upcoming trial will evaluate crucial aspects such as safety and the vaccine's immunogenicity, with topline results anticipated by 2028. The foundation for GBP511's development builds on SK bioscience's previous successes, including the authorization of SKYCovione™, notable for being the world's first computer-generated vaccine and Korea's first domestically developed COVID-19 vaccine, approved in 2022. The innovation behind GBP511 also incorporates advanced self-assembling nanoparticle design technology pioneered by the Institute for Protein Design at the University of Washington. This is a testament to the convergence of cutting-edge technology and public health readiness.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called attention to the critical need for a pan-sarbecovirus vaccine, outlining various challenges such as the emergence of new variants, natural immunity decay, reinfection risks, and potential zoonotic spillovers. According to market insights from Coherent Market Insights, the global COVID-19 vaccine market is projected to reach nearly USD 83.4 billion by 2032, demonstrating the significant demand for innovative vaccine solutions like GBP511.

Jaeyong Ahn, CEO of SK bioscience, commented on the vaccine's objectives, emphasizing its design to overcome the constraints posed by strain-specific vaccines. The innovative approach aims to enhance global pandemic readiness and ultimately protect against forthcoming viral threats. Beyond GBP511, SK bioscience is actively pursuing additional pandemic preparedness programs, including an mRNA-based vaccine for Japanese encephalitis and a government-backed vaccine initiative for avian influenza.

All these efforts place SK bioscience at the forefront of combating infectious diseases, showcasing its commitment to public health across the globe. By fostering collaborations with governments, regulatory bodies, healthcare professionals, and researchers, the company aims to provide equitable access to groundbreaking vaccines that can make a difference in the field of global health.

In conclusion, the progression of GBP511 marks a pivotal step towards developing a universal coronavirus vaccine, reflecting the need for innovative solutions in the face of ever-evolving viral threats. The results of the Phase 1/2 trial will be pivotal, not just for SK bioscience but for the global community aiming to better secure public health against emerging infectious diseases.