SK bioscience announced on the 23rd that it has completed its “Global R&PD Center” in Songdo International City, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon.

The center was established to develop the Songdo bio cluster into an advanced research-based hub. A large-scale investment of about KRW 380 billion was made. The facility, from two underground floors to seven above-ground levels, is a vaccine-specialized site that connects Research and Process Development. It integrates into a single location the R&D and prototype production functions that had been dispersed between the Pangyo research institute and the Andong production facility (L House). SK bioscience stated that it has completed a “one-stop development system” that carries out basic research, antigen design, pilot production, technology validation, and technology transfer within a single space. The “Pilot Lab” in the center is a scaled-down version of the facilities at Andong L House. It was set up to secure both development speed and completeness in the rapidly changing global vaccine market.

Through the Global R&PD Center, SK bioscience plans to conduct a collaborative project for the development of a next-generation Zaire Ebola vaccine. The project involves global pharmaceutical company MSD, international organization CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations), and the Hilleman Laboratories. By combining the capabilities of the Global R&PD Center with the process technology of its German subsidiary IDT Biologika, the company plans to enhance the heat stability of the vaccine and advance the manufacturing process.

The organizational structure has also been reorganized in line with external growth. To organically manage the expanded research and production infrastructure, including the Songdo R&PD Center, Andong L House, and Germany’s IDT Biologika, the company created the position of Chief Operating Officer (COO). The COO organization will serve to increase synergies among research, production, and global business operations. The company plans to accelerate technology transfer between each site and strengthen the execution of its mid- to long-term growth strategy.

Ahn Jae-yong, CEO of SK bioscience, said, “The Global R&PD Center is infrastructure that connects research, process, and global collaboration into a single growth structure.”

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