SK Bioscience announced on June 2 that it has been designated as a supplier of flu vaccines for UNICEF this year, beginning shipments for countries in the Southern Hemisphere. The company plans to start supplying doses for the Northern Hemisphere in September, aiming to deliver approximately 640,000 doses of the flu vaccine in accordance with vaccination schedules in various countries throughout the year. Notably, SK Bioscience has been selected as the sole supplier for the Southern Hemisphere, while also being recognized as a major supplier for the Northern Hemisphere.
This contract marks SK Bioscience's first collaboration with UNICEF, establishing a foothold in the global public procurement market following its previous engagement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The company successfully secured its first contract for chickenpox vaccines with PAHO in 2022, which has since been extended through 2027, reaffirming its competitive edge.
The flu vaccine, Skycellflu, has demonstrated excellent immunogenicity and safety through clinical trials and is the first cell-cultured flu vaccine to receive prequalification from the World Health Organization (WHO). The cell culture method is known to reduce the risk of viral mutations during production, resulting in a higher match rate with circulating viruses.
In addition to supplying flu vaccines through PAHO, SK Bioscience has been expanding its global health initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Recently, the company received product approval for its chickenpox vaccine, Skyvaricella, in Vietnam and obtained new flu vaccine approvals in Moldova, Eastern Europe. SK Bioscience plans to broaden its global business base by expanding product approvals in several countries, including Thailand, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, and Chile.
SK Bioscience CEO Ahn Jae-yong stated, "This first contract with UNICEF represents a significant achievement in expanding our entry into the global public procurement market. We will strengthen our collaboration with international organizations to contribute to global infectious disease response and public health improvement."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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