SK bioscience is accelerating its mid- to long-term growth strategy based on global collaboration. In January, the company relocated its headquarters and research institute to the Songdo R&PD Center, establishing a forward base to more organically link research and development (R&D), process development (PD), quality analysis, and business development, while further accelerating its global expansion. Since then, it has launched full-scale projects related to Ebola, RSV, next-generation influenza, and universal coronavirus vaccines in partnership with international organizations and institutions, expanding this infrastructure into concrete global business and public health cooperation.

The Global R&PD Center established in Songdo is an integrated development hub that connects research (R), process development (P), and pilot production (D) in a single loop. Research outcomes are immediately followed by process design, and decision-making for securing clinical samples is carried out in the same space. The move to Songdo is not a simple change of location, but indicates that the strategy the company has been preparing has entered a practical operational phase. Through the relocation to Songdo, SK bioscience has set a course to accelerate its mid- to long-term growth by strengthening next-generation vaccine platforms and expanding its global network.

Development of SK bioscience’s core pipeline is in fact gaining further momentum. The 21-valent pneumococcal vaccine “GBP410,” co-developed with Sanofi, is progressing smoothly in global Phase 3 clinical trials. This vaccine is a next-generation candidate with broader serotype coverage than existing products. The company’s strategy is to secure competitiveness in the global infant immunization market through this product.

Its next-generation portfolio is also poised for full-scale advancement. SK bioscience plans to sequentially pursue IND (Investigational New Drug) applications and clinical entry within the year for a universal coronavirus vaccine, a next-generation pneumococcal vaccine, and an avian influenza vaccine.

Pipeline expansion is deepening global collaboration. SK bioscience recently diversified its portfolio by in-licensing a monoclonal antibody candidate for the prevention of RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) from Gates MRI, an affiliate of the Gates Foundation. The company has secured exclusive commercialization rights for this candidate in global markets, including advanced economies. At the same time, in certain regions such as India and Gavi (the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization)–supported countries, it plans to supply the product in parallel under the principle of global access. Designed as a single-dose preventive antibody for infants that covers the entire RSV season, it is considered a key asset to target the global public health market alongside vaccines. SK bioscience plans to swiftly initiate clinical trials in infants while simultaneously developing large-scale production processes to meet future global demand.

In addition, an Ebola vaccine development project in collaboration with MSD (Merck) and CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) is underway, positioning Songdo as a collaboration hub linking international organizations and global pharmaceutical companies. Under the funding agreement MSD has signed with CEPI, SK bioscience, as a core development partner, is responsible for research and development, manufacturing process improvements, and development of clinical trial vaccines. The project focuses on improving the complex manufacturing process and ultra–low-temperature storage requirements of the existing Zaire Ebola vaccine to increase yield and thermal stability, thereby enhancing supply stability and access. As a flagship global joint project that has become visible since the company’s move to Songdo, it is cited as a symbolic example indicating the future direction of partnership expansion.

Global cooperation aimed at the European market is also expanding. SK bioscience, together with its subsidiary IDT Biologika and Australia’s Vaxxas, has been selected for Phase 1 tasks under the next-generation vaccine development initiative promoted by HaDEA (the European Health and Digital Executive Agency) under the European Commission. Through this, they have launched development of patch-type vaccines for seasonal influenza for older adults and pandemic influenza for all age groups. This is the first case in which the two companies have jointly secured global funding from the initial planning stage since the acquisition of IDT, and it is viewed as an achievement that enhances the prospects for SK bioscience’s proprietary vaccine technologies to enter Europe. Through this project, the company plans to target the premium seasonal influenza vaccine market while expanding its pandemic response capabilities through European public projects.

SK bioscience’s mid- to long-term projects indicate that the company’s growth strategy is entering a full-fledged fruition phase. Based on the Songdo Global R&PD Center, SK bioscience plans to further advance its research and development and process development capabilities and to continuously expand its infectious disease response portfolio through collaboration with key global partners. On this basis, it aims to secure competitiveness across vaccines, preventive antibodies, and next-generation platforms, and to emerge as a global biotech company leading future infectious disease responses.

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