SK bioscience increases exports of influenza 슬롯사이트 ‘SKYCellflu’ to southern hemisphere

[by Lee, Young Sung] The global expansion of domestically developed 슬롯사이트s by SK is gaining momentum. With rising demand for 슬롯사이트s, particularly in low- and middle-income countries following the pandemic, there is a concerted effort to develop competitive Korean 슬롯사이트s to meet these needs.

SK bioscience revealed on March 12 that it will begin shipping its self-developed influenza 슬롯사이트, ‘SKYCellflu,’ to countries in the southern hemisphere, including those in Southeast Asia and Latin America. The company plans to supply a total of 750,000 doses (1 dose = 1 vaccination) during the first half of the year.

This marks the second time SK bioscience has exported influenza 슬롯사이트s to the southern hemisphere, following its initial export to Thailand last year. The expansion of exports to the southern hemisphere is expected to lead to increased production volumes, as the influenza 슬롯사이트 production facilities will operate year-round. Additionally, the continuous operation of these facilities is anticipated to lower manufacturing costs.

SKYCellflu is the world’s first influenza 슬롯사이트 to receive WHO PQ certification via cell culture, demonstrating its superior immunogenicity and safety through clinical trials. The cell culture method is recognized for its high consistency with prevalent virus strains, as it reduces the likelihood of viral mutations during production compared to 슬롯사이트s made using fertilized eggs. Furthermore, this method has a shorter production timeline than the traditional fertilized egg process, enabling faster production during pandemics or other emergency situations.

SKYCellflu began its international export operations in earnest last year by securing contracts across various regions, including Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. A recent report from the global research firm Grand View Research reveals that the global influenza 슬롯사이트 market is projected to reach USD 7 billion (approximately KRW 10 trillion) in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 8.5% through 2030. Notably, demand for 슬롯사이트s is rising steadily in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, driven by an increase in seasonal influenza-related hospitalizations.

SK bioscience is also increasing the supply of its chickenpox 슬롯사이트, ‘SKYVaricella,’ to Latin America and Southeast Asia, while promoting the introduction of its shingles 슬롯사이트, ‘SKYZoster,’ into the Asian market. Additionally, in 2024, the company’s typhoid 슬롯사이트, ‘SKY Typhoid,’ which received WHO PQ certification, began targeting the African and South Asian markets, where incidence rates are high. The 슬롯사이트’s advantage lies in its status as a protein conjugate 슬롯사이트, which is expected to provide sufficient immunogenicity and long-term protective effects with just a single dose.

Government-level support for SK bioscience’s global expansion continues to grow. To assist Korean biotech companies in entering international markets, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety revised its guidelines in January to allow for more flexible risk level assessments for national shipment approval drugs. Through this revision, products for export manufactured in the same facility and using the same process can now be assessed at the same risk level as domestic products. The company highlights that the regulatory reform by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, based on scientific evidence, shortened the national shipment approval period for influenza 슬롯사이트s intended for export, thereby facilitating SKYCellflu’s entry into the Latin American market and its expansion into Southeast Asia.

“We will actively pursue international markets and work to expand our presence, as the 슬롯사이트s developed with our technology have already demonstrated their global competitiveness through WHO PQ certification and other recognitions,” stated Ahn Jae-yong, CEO of SK bioscience.

“With the strong support of health authorities such as the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, we aim to solidify our position as a 슬롯사이트 leader while also enhancing the reputation of the Korean biotechnology industry and contributing to the advancement of human health,” Ahn further added.